Four years after being snubbed by then European captain Nick Faldo, Darren Clarke will return next week to Gleneagles taking the first steps to the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy.

Rory McIlroy finished with three birdies in his last four holes and held a one-shot lead as the second round of the FedEx St Jude Classic drew to a close last night.

Peter Lawrie is not only looking to win the Spanish Open in its centenary year but he is backing a new system to be trialled later this month that could help eradicate slow play.

GOLF is one of the most individualistic if not the most selfish of sporting activities.

THE remarkable Maguire twins, Leona and Lisa, from Co Cavan, will create a significant piece of Curtis Cup history when they make their debuts in the bi-annual clash with the US at the Essex Country Club, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachussetts on June 11-13.

RORY McILROY’S recent comment that he “looked forward to playing for Team GB” in the 2016 Olympic Games revived a controversy that blew up more than 50 years ago when a great Irish lady golfer withdrew from the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team because the blazer badge displayed only the Union Jack flag.

FOUR-TIME European Tour winner Graeme McDowell says new Irish Open champion, Shane Lowry should forget September’s Walker Cup and “strike while the iron is hot” by turning professional.