It’s been a very busy week on the PGA Irish Region circuit with five events staged across seven days in four counties.

NUI Maynooth struck a blow for Irish college golf yesterday as their Paddy Harrington scholars lifted the coveted Barton Shield on the second day of the All-Ireland Cups and Shields finals at Kinsale Golf Club.

Shane Lowry, European golf’s newest star, has turned professional and will make his debut in next week’s European Open at the London Club in Kent.