Robin Dawson is determined not get ahead of himself as he takes a two-stroke lead into the third round of the Flogas Irish Amateur Open at Royal County Down.

Paul Dunne's US Amateur Championship campaign is over after the Irishman lost his quarter-final meeting with Bryson DeChambeau.

Paul Dunne shook off the limpet-like American Robbie Ziegler on the last to move into the second round of the US Amateur Championship in Chicago last night.

They may have finished out of the medals but two Irish golfers helped make golfing history over the past two weeks as the sport made its first appearance in an Olympic event for 110 years.

BROTHERS Francesco and Edoardo Molinari savoured a sweet victory after guiding Italy to an historic first World Cup title following a tense three-way final round battle with Ireland and Sweden.

EMMA O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion) defeated Paula Grant (Lisburn) to capture the Lancome Girls’ Irish Close Championship title in sensational style at Castletroy GC yesterday.

THE strength in depth of the European Tour was demonstrated graphically at Baltray yesterday when 89 players finished under par in the opening round of the 3 Irish Open. But Pádraig Harrington, the pre-tournament favourite and 2007 champion, was not a member of that elite group.

LEINSTER include the three outstanding players of the amateur season so far — Shane Lowry, Niall Kearney and Paul O’Hanlon — in their side for the Interprovincial Championship getting under way at Athlone tomorrow.

THE only Irishman ever to win the British Open Golf Championship was Fred Daly from Portrush in 1947. That was 60 years ago, so it certainly is time for another Irish winner.

Ian Woosnam has expressed his delight after Europe’s Ryder Cup side, beaten to the BBC Team of the Year award by St Helens Rugby League Club, were named today as the Golf Writers’ Trophy winners for 2006.

ANNIKA SORENSTAM has beaten stiff competition from Michael Campbell and Colin Montgomerie to create more golfing history.

Annika Sorenstam has beaten stiff competition from Michael Campbell and Colin Montgomerie to create more golfing history.

There are three changes in both the mens and womens Ulster teams for the Inter-provincial championships next month.