Michael Hoey was the clubhouse leader at midday during the opening round of the Joburg Open today after his seven-under-par 64 put him a shot clear of Alfredo Garcia-Heredia.

Darren Clarke continued his spirited fightback on the third day of the South African open after his disappointing first-round 74, following up his 67 yesterday by moving to three under after 15 holes.

Phillip Price came from nowhere to go into the weekend with a one-shot lead at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship after carding a seven-under-par 65 for a 10 under 134 overall.

England’s Oliver Wilson and Phillip Archer were in a five-man leading group on four under par after day one at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

IRELAND’S David Higgins, Stephen Browne and Michael Hoey return to the European Tour School at San Roque next month having failed to retain their cards.

Colin Montgomerie quickly lived up to his billing as clear favourite for the KLM Open in the early stages of the first round today.

England’s Simon Dyson earned himself a place in next month’s British Open at Hoylake after a marathon eight-hole play-off.

Ireland's Graeme McDowell, who came through a qualifying tournament for the US Open earlier this month, sank a 12-foot birdie putt to make into the British Open today.

Phillip Archer today admitted: “I thought I had it,” after coming agonisingly close to the first 59 in the history of the European Tour.

England’s Benn Barham hopes to follow in the footsteps of Paul Broadhurst in the Italian Open in Milan this week.

Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen equalled the course record to lead the Italian Open - but Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam grabbed the headlines in Milan.

Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen equalled the course record to lead the Italian Open - but Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam grabbed the headlines in Milan.

Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen targeted an overdue victory after equalling the course record in the first round of the Italian Open in Milan.

Even from a distance Paul Casey could see Colin Montgomerie “smiling and strutting” at St Andrews today. And with every reason.

Colin Montgomerie made an amazing return today to St Andrews, the course on which he finished runner-up to Tiger Woods at the Open in July.

CARNOUSTIE, widely regarded as one of the most difficult golf courses on the planet, didn’t really show its teeth on yesterday’s opening day of the €4m Dunhill Links Championship.

YOU might have thought that the last place Rich Beem would want to be is Carnoustie.

David Howell’s remarkable return from injury continued today when he took a share of the first round lead in the Dunhill Links championship.

US Open champion Michael Campbell admitted Thursday’s wash-out at the Deutsche Bank Championship had been “a blessing in disguise.”

US Open champion Michael Campbell admitted yesterday’s wash-out at the Deutsche Bank Championship had been “a blessing in disguise".

KLM Open leader Gary Emerson packed plenty of incident into the first six holes of his third round as he extended his advantage to two shots in Holland.

Leader Gary Emerson began his third round of the KLM Open in Holland in spectacular style by holing his second shot of the day to open up a three-shot advantage.

With the course and conditions still conspiring against the majority of the field at the KLM Open in Holland, it took two of the more experienced players in Gary Emerson and Paul Broadhurst to show how it should be done.

English pair Gary Emerson and Paul Broadhurst both used their experience to good effect in the second round of the KLM Open in Holland to occupy the top two spots on the leaderboard.

Defending KLM Open champion David Lynn hopes a return to the scene of his maiden European Tour victory in Holland will bring out the best in him again.

With the leaders struggling to cope with the blustery wind and rain at the Wales Open the lead was held by little-known Italian Alessandro Tadini today.

Nick Dougherty hauled himself into contention for his second win of the season in the windswept third round of the Wales Open today.

Alessandro Tadini was fined for slow play last week but hopes it could be a good omen in the final two rounds of the Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

IRELAND’S Brian McElhinney ended Oliver Fisher’s dream of becoming the youngest-ever winner of the British amateur championship at Royal Birkdale yesterday.

Colin Montgomerie missed his first cut of the season at the Wales Open as the controversy over his incorrect drop in the Indonesian Open took its toll.

Colin Montgomerie was heading for a much-needed weekend off as he struggled to find form in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor today.

Miguel Angel Jimenez won his fifth title of 2004 at the Omega Hong Kong Open today and with it left defending champion Padraig Harrington with the 25th runners-up finish of his career.

Nick Faldo is in the hunt for a first tour victory for nearly eight years - after delivering a red card to a photographer.

THE Irish trio of Stephen Browne, David Higgins and Michael Hoey will head for the European Tour Qualifying School Finals after missing out on their cards at the European Challenge Tour’s Bouygues Telecom grand final in Bordeaux, France, yesterday.

LIMA was left stunned last night after being propelled into the European elite.

Philippe Lima came from three shots behind overnight to win the Aa St Omer Open in his native France today.

Ian Garbutt produced one of the shots of the European Tour season today at the St Omer Open.