A brilliant round of 64, eight under par, sent Dubliner Peter Lawrie shooting to the top of the leaderboard after yesterday’s opening round of the Sicily Open at the stunningly beautiful Verdura course.

Colin Montgomerie believes Tiger Woods’ presence would make it “a better win” for Europe if his team regain the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor next year.

DESPITE failing to land his first European Tour victory in Switzerland on Sunday, 19-year-old Rory McIlroy from Holywood, Co Down has improved 61 places to 111th in the world rankings.

Padraig Harrington has an extra reason for wanting his first-ever win at Wentworth this week – he is in danger of losing his position as European number one.

THE battle for top spot on the European Tour order of merit resumes this week having been largely in abeyance for the past six weeks or so as the leading protagonists concentrated on the FedEx Trophy play-offs in the US followed by the Seve Trophy at the Heritage club over the weekend.

AFTER a week of incessant interviews and celebration, Pádraig Harrington is gradually beginning to refocus on his golfing career.