The final major of the year begins without the world’s third best player – and Europe’s best – at Whistling Straits today.

Rory McIlroy said today he had decided to join the US Tour next year because he chose to “listen to my own heart” – and to Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh.

Defending champion Lee Westwood, much to the annoyance of the “raging” promoter and BBC Television, had to wait until 4.05pm to resume the Quinn Insurance British Masters at The Belfry today.

Chris Wood, the 20-year-old English amateur who finished a brilliant joint fifth at The Open eight days ago, has decided to turn professional.

Tiger Woods flew into Ireland with the rest of the American Ryder Cup team today with yet another win to his name – and with a big sigh of relief.

Jose Maria Olazabal, third in the Open last July and third again at the Masters a month ago, is a golfer enjoying a new lease of life.

Paul McGinley may still be on crutches following his knee surgery last Thursday, but his name today appeared in the draw for the first two rounds of the BMW Championship at Wentworth.

Darren Clarke, so gloomy on the eve of the Quinn British Masters that he nearly quit and headed home from The Belfry, turned it around in stunning fashion today to lead the event.

Tournament golf returns to The Belfry in May – and for obvious reasons Paul McGinley is delighted.

Darren Clarke, whose wife Heather is battling cancer, withdrew from the Volvo Masters after his second round at Valderrama today.

His wife’s continuing battle with cancer has led to Darren Clarke pulling out of the next two US Tour events – the American Express world championship in San Francisco starting on Thursday and the Las Vegas Invitational.

Darren Clarke has denied that his decision not to play in the Seve Trophy in County Durham next month has anything to do with Colin Montgomerie being captain.

Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els had to work hard to survive the halfway cut in the BMW Championship at Wentworth today – and then made an urgent appeal for water.

European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer insists he has not yet made up his mind on either of his wild cards – bad news for Colin Montgomerie on a day when he ran up a nine on one hole.

DAVID LYNN attributed the lowest round of his professional career to his success on the greens after an opening 63 gave him a one-stroke lead in the KLM Open in Holland.

David Lynn attributed the lowest round of his professional career to his success on the greens after an opening 63 gave him a one-stroke lead in the KLM Open in Holland.

DARREN CLARKE has vowed to get fitter as he bids to improve on recent disappointments.

DARREN CLARKE has embarked on a series of drastic changes in a bid to start climbing the world rankings and challenging for majors again.

Prize money at the British Masters next year is going up by over £200,000 (€313,000) following an agreement reached between the European tour and the International Sports Management company.

The future of this month's Ryder Cup has been thrown into fresh doubt.

Lee Westwood looked certain to crash out of the Players Championship in Florida yesterday after finishing his second round with a quadruple bogey eight.