Just as Luke Donald suffered a succession of early blows in his duel with Tiger Woods today, a concerned David Howell revealed he had come close to pulling out of the United States PGA championship in Chicago.

Luke Donald said in March that he thought the only way for him to catch up with world number one Tiger Woods was to “start believing I’m as good as him“.

Phil Mickelson drew back level with Tiger Woods and Chris DiMarco got off to a flying start as well when the United States PGA championship resumed in Chicago today.

American Joey Sindelar recorded only the third albatross in the history of the United States PGA championship at Medinah in Chicago today.

Henrik Stenson and Luke Donald today displayed the form that they hope will make them the men to end Europe’s seven-year wait for a major winner.

Tom Lehman will not be qualifying for his own Ryder Cup team – and it looks certain that Fred Couples will not be playing at the K Club either.

Ten months after saying he would only be satisfied when he had both feet in the European Ryder Cup team rather than just one, Swede Henrik Stenson today took a mighty leap towards clinching his first cap.

Davis Love has two things he is trying to keep out of his mind as he continues the final golf major of the season.

As if having his clubs lost by British Airways was not enough, England’s Kenneth Ferrie has suffered a recurrence of back trouble and is not yet a certain starter at the United States PGA championship in Chicago.

Padraig Harrington spoke today of his admiration for Heather and Darren Clarke - and about his decision to donate all his prize money from this week’s United States PGA championship to breast cancer research.

Tom Lehman’s chances of making his own Ryder Cup team were still very much alive with just 10 holes to play in The International tournament in Colorado today.

Darren Clarke has withdrawn from next week’s United States PGA championship, the last major of the season, and now seems likelier than ever to miss next month’s Ryder Cup, the first to be held in Ireland, as well.

Tiger Woods and Michael Campbell, the winner of the first three majors of the season, will be joined by 50-year-old Greg Norman in the first two rounds of the United States PGA championship at Baltusrol on Thursday and Friday.

David Howell has delayed his golf comeback yet again and is now doubtful for next week’s United States PGA championship as well.

English trio Steve Webster, Paul Broadhurst and Nick Dougherty – 98th, 99th and 100th in the world – have all been invited to take part in next week’s United States PGA championship at Baltusrol in New Jersey.

Paul McGinley’s first top-10 finish in a major has taken him to the brink of earning a second Ryder Cup cap.

Darren Clarke now needs one of the rounds of his life to become Ireland’s first winner of a major title since Fred Daly in 1947.

European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer insists he has not yet made up his mind on either of his wild cards – bad news for Colin Montgomerie on a day when he ran up a nine on one hole.

Whatever happens to Darren Clarke in the rest of the United States PGA Championship one thing seems certain – there will be no repeat of what can only go down as an amazing blunder.

Nick Faldo charged into contention for the United States PGA championship amid the towering sand dunes of Whistling Straits today – and then gave himself a mountain to climb again.

England’s Luke Donald moved on to the heels of Darren Clarke when the United States PGA championship resumed at Whistling Straits today.

Luke Donald had to tackle a cold wind in his face when he resumed the United States PGA championship in joint fourth place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin today.

One of the greatest records in golf history will end today unless Tiger Woods can hit form.

Darren Clarke has had no difficulty finding somebody to thank after his brilliant opening 65 in the United States PGA Championship.

DARREN Clarke and Padraig Harrington began yesterday’s first round in the US PGA Championship at precisely the same time - but from different tees.

Darren Clarke let his golf do the talking at the USPGA championship this afternoon with his best-ever start to a major.

Darren Clarke was in dazzling form at the start of the United States PGA championship today, taking the early lead at Whistling Straits.

With finishes of first, second and third in the three majors, Phil Mickelson can already put 2004 down as a great year in his career.

Bernhard Langer gave a huge hint today that he will pick Colin Montgomerie for the Ryder Cup if the Scot needs a wild card.

A FLASHBACK to last year has kept Pádraig Harrington's feet firmly on the ground with Augusta only a week away.

A flashback to last year has kept Padraig Harrington’s feet firmly on the ground with Augusta only a week away.

Padraig Harrington is celebrating the arrival of his first child – although he missed the birth as he was on the other side of the Atlantic.

Darren Clarke was able to reflect today on achieving one of his main career goals – winning a stroke play event on American soil.

An inspired Darren Clarke got the better of Tiger Woods again in yet another million-dollar duel today – and this time on one of the world number one’s favourite courses.

Lee Westwood did not try to conceal his complete and utter frustration today after a day which had promised to reignite his golf career ended in misery.

NICK FALDO wants to help Europe’s up-and-coming stars end a barren run in the majors that now stretches back over four seasons.

Tiger Woods’ frustration was there for all to see today as he headed for his worst-ever finish in a major since he turned professional in 1996.

There looks every chance of the final major of the season – the United States PGA championship – being won by a record score at Oak Hill this weekend. A record high score, that is.

Golf’s final major of the year, the United States PGA championship, began today with the very first shot being fired out of bounds.

The last major of the year. The last chance – not only for Tiger Woods to avoid his first blank season since 1998, but also for Europe’s golfers to prevent a fourth successive season without winning any of the sport’s four biggest crowns.

Ryder Cup Dane Thomas Bjorn and Open runner-up Thomas Levet have both become members of the US Tour.

Darren Clarke decided to go on the attack in Seattle today – and was left wishing he had done it ages ago.

Lee Westwood experienced a feeling he has not had for a long, long time today - leading a golf tournament.

NEXT year’s US Masters will be contested on the sixth longest course in major championship history after tournament organisers announced last night Augusta’s par-four fifth hole had been lengthened.