Jon Rahm will attempt to put his Masters disappointment behind him by completing his collection of national titles in the Open de Espana.

Could the rise of golf’s kiddie corps take a back seat this week at the Masters?

Once the questions to Phil Mickelson about his long-sleeve, business attire golf shirt and practice-round pairing with Tiger Woods were handled on Tuesday, the three-time Masters champion, making his 23rd start in the season’s first major, was asked whether this was the most anticipated Masters — maybe ever.

Dustin Raymond has carried a black marker to every Masters since 1991 to collect autographs on yellow souvenir flags with the Masters logo in the centre.

"It's huge for my confidence going into the next few weeks."

The world golf scene has been re-energised ahead of next month's Masters by the resurgence of Tiger Woods and the return to form of Rory McIlroy.

Tiger Woods insists enjoyment is still the primary aim of his latest comeback, even as he came close to recording his first victory in five years last weekend.

The red shirt didn’t have a collar. His head doesn’t have quite as much hair. His lower spine has been fused.

A last-hole bogey failed to take the gloss off a superb performance from Tiger Woods as the former world number one continued to impress on the latest leg of his comeback in the Valspar Championship.

McIlroy told a pre-tournament press conference at Innisbrook that he was "totally ready" for the Masters.

Tiger Woods will be inspired by seeing long-time rival Phil Mickelson get back in the winners' circle, according to three-time major winner Jordan Spieth.

It would appear to be an impossible reach for a 22-year-old, to go where only the greatest of the greats have gone. Successfully defend your Masters title? Only Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods have done that.

Shane Lowry has vowed never to change despite promising PGA Tour officials that he’ll do his best to watch his language from now on.

Rory McIlroy best avoid US television for a week or so because the Green Jacket that should have been his destiny will be on screen and on the wrong golfer’s back far too much for his liking.

Rickie Fowler could be speaking for the entire field when he says Rory McIlroy is the one to beat this week and also that no-one here at Augusta National is going to make it easy for the Masters favourite.

Pádraig Harrington plunged from the penthouse to the basement in his very first competitive round since capturing the Honda Classic.

Pádraig Harrington returns to action for the first time since his dramatic victory in the Honda Classic in this week’s Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

Double winning Honda Classic champion Pádraig Harrington intends honouring sponsors invitations even though he says it will ‘hurt’ his Masters preparations.

It was only pro-am day at Fota yesterday but already the support for Pádraig Harrington was palpable.

Wildlife is not in short supply at Fota Island, but the Irish Open will have “Wild Thing” John Daly alongside the “Big Five” of Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley from June 19-22.

Pádraig Harrington and Darren Clarke last night were heading across Florida needing a turnaround in fortunes at this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational in suburban Orlando.

This week’s Valspar Championship is being promoted as ‘The most colourful event on the PGA Tour.’

Despite a mid-round mishap Darren Clarke has put his new slimmed-down frame into contention to end a more than two-year winless drought at the Valspar Championship in Tampa, Florida.

If Pádraig Harrington needed any inspiration to end a more than five-year winless drought he could again find it at the ‘Snake Pit’ in this week’s Valspar Championship at Tampa Bay.

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.