Welshman Bradley Dredge lost his grip on the Smurfit Kappa European Open in wet and windy Dublin this afternoon.

Welshman Bradley Dredge continued to lead the Smurfit Kappa European Open in wet and windy Dublin today – but he was not going to achieve a feat last achieved on the European tour 14 years ago.

Paul McGinley expected to be watching sports day at his children’s school this afternoon – but instead he was to be found capitalising on a massive stroke of luck and reigniting his bid for the Ryder Cup.

Darren Clarke is the best placed of the Irish competitors heading into the third round of the Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club in Co Kildare.

When Bradley Dredge teamed up with Stephen Dodd to win the World Cup for Wales last November he immediately set himself another target – playing in the Ryder Cup.

Darren Clarke’s bid to win a place on Europe’s Ryder Cup team will be a major theme of the next two months.

Everyone needs some luck now and again and Darren Clarke definitely had some this morning as he closed in on the overnight leaders at the Smurfit Kappa European Open.

Paul Casey could be just three rounds away from taking over from David Howell at the top of the European Order of Merit.

Darren Clarke saw Padraig Harrington make the move he needed for the Ryder Cup and is hoping to do the same when he returns to action in this week’s Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club.

A massive 45,000 golf fans have taken up on Ulster Bank’s “Free Ticket Thursday” initiative at this week’s Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club west of Dublin.