Kevin Markham discovers Irish golf clubs embracing the magic of the Masters.

It was 60 years ago this week that television viewers watched the Masters for the first time.

Rory McIlroy’s out-of-court settlement with his former management company brings to mind that scene from Monty Python’s Life of Brian when the kindly Roman centurion is lining up the locals for execution.

As European golf chiefs battle to retain sponsors and a healthy schedule their compatriots across the Atlantic are basking in the game’s high profile stateside.

Hopes for a first European green jacket since Jose Maria Olazabal donned his second in 1999 do not look likely to rest on his compatriots as Spaniards Sergio Garcia and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño failed to repeat their opening-round success yesterday at the Masters.

Rory McIlroy’s return yesterday to the top of the world rankings even though he only tied for 40th in the Masters and didn’t play at all last week has many people mystified as to how this could possibly happen.

Pádraig Harrington is offering millions of euro worth of advertising space to the highest bidder after a family tragedy put his recent golfing struggles into perspective.

NEGOTIATIONS about the future of the 2012 Irish Open are ongoing with a June 28 to July 1 date favourite to get the green light according to sources close to the European Tour.

Rory McIlroy has been confirmed to take part in the 3 Irish Open at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club from July 29 - August 1.

Tiger Woods says his game is improving as he prepares to resume his comeback next week at the Quail Hollow Championship.

TIGER WOODS did his talking in the interview room on Monday. Now it’s time to make the clubs sing.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON might only be one place ahead of Rory McIlroy in the world rankings but the gulf in experience between the three-time major winner and the young Ulsterman was evident as they prepared for next week’s Masters Tournament at the Shell Houston Open.

THE more he thought about it, Augusta National and the Masters became a no-brainer for Tiger Woods as he figured out the best way to restart his golfing career.

Feast day of St Guinoch, St Martin I, pope, Saints Carpus, Papylus, and Agathonice, St Hermenegild, and St Martius.

TIGER WOODS is close to sealing a deal on a very large birthday present on Jupiter Island in Florida.

Masters officials have admitted that Shingo Katayama was preferred to Colin Montgomerie for Augusta’s only wild-card in order to satisfy the Japanese television market.

All US Tour winners could be back in the Masters in a few years’ time.

WHEN the gates to Augusta National Golf Club open at 8am, half of the fans run to the course — the rest bolt to the gift shop.

Padraig Harrington moved to within three strokes of the leader Zach Johnson of America after a third round 67 took him into a share of second place alongside another American Scott Hend on 206, ten under par, in the BellSouth Classic at the TPC at Sugarloaf, Georgia.

ONE month before he competes in his 50th and final Masters Tournament, American golf's most charismatic and enduring champion, Arnold Palmer, has been accused of cheating.

SUPERSTAR Tiger Woods yesterday took a swing at fake photographs circulating on the internet which claim to show his Swedish girlfriend in the nude.

2002 PGA European Tour Schedule

Tee-off times in the fourth round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, Georgia (USA unless stated, all times Irish):