Jordan Spieth has the type of dominant form around Augusta that would have had many fancied players writing off their chances after yesterday’s opening round, writes John McHenry

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.

Rory McIlroy has revealed the part that Wayne Rooney played in his brilliant victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a win which led to a surprisingly low-key celebration.

At the Arnold Palmer Invitational, it’s never long before the talk turns to legends. It starts with the tournament’s namesake, Palmer, segues to eight-time API winner Tiger Woods, and Sunday night moved onto another legend, albeit one we hadn’t heard from for a while.

American Derek Lamely carded a nine-under-par 63 to claim a one-shot lead after the first round of the Bob Hope Classic yesterday.

American Omar Uresti and South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini topped a congested leaderboard after the first round of the Turning Stone Resort Championship at Verona, New York.

Tiger Woods posted a two-over-par 74 and found himself nine shots off the pace set by fellow American Bo van Pelt after the first round of the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Americans Brad Faxon and Brett Quigley instantly made their presence felt at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland today.

KJ Choi managed just one birdie in the final round on Sunday but kept the mistakes to a minimum to claim victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Hunter Mahan carded 10 birdies en route to an eight-under-par 62 and a two-shot lead in the first round of the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.

WOODY AUSTIN knows only too well that no one has followed up a PGA Tour victory by winning the US Open the next week, and he won’t be a favourite at Oakmont Country Club. He doesn’t care.

Darren Clarke, who threw away a chance to win the event on the 72nd hole last year, had a terrible opening day of the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head Island yesterday, closing at five over par.

Words of encouragement from Justin Rose could not save Michelle Wie from a nightmare start to her fourth appearance on the US Tour today.

It continued to look as though the start of the 2006 US Tour season had come too soon for some players in Hawaii today.

Sergio Garcia and Carl Pettersson, the only two Europeans at the Mercedes Championship, are in joint third position after the opening round in Hawaii.

IT’S a holiday tradition like no other: Masters invitations are in the mail.

AND so at long last, the 2005 golf season has come to an end.

JUSTIN ROSE is hoping some home comforts will help him to victory in the South African Airways Open this week.

Justin Rose is hoping some home comforts will help him to victory in the South African Airways Open this week.

BRAD FAXON won the biggest award of his career yesterday without being able to hit a golf shot.

Brad Faxon is to undergo surgery on his left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2005 PGA Tour season.

Brian Dent

Ben Crane led from start to finish to win at the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee.

Ben Crane carded a second consecutive bogey-free round and was holding the lead when the second round of the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee was suspended due to darkness.

A wind of change came over St Andrews today – and it surprisingly blew Tiger Woods back to the chasing pack in the 134th Open championship.

Jack Nicklaus took centre stage at the British Open at St Andrew's today with the last steps of his illustrious career.

Twelve places in next week’s Open will be determined this weekend – and 384 players are fighting for them.

PÁDRAIG Harrington landed a 60ft eagle putt on the final hole to claim the Barclays Classic in New York late last night.

Darren Clarke’s double-bogey on the par-four 18th hole allowed Peter Lonard to capture the MCI Heritage in South Carolina – the Australian’s first career victory on the PGA Tour.

Irish golfers Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell have made the cut, but remain well off the pace after the second round of the Honda Classic in Florida.

Ernie Els easily saw off the challenge of one European Ryder Cup hero today - but now faces an attack from three of them in the final round of the American Express world championship.

Ernie Els finally looks to be over the massive disappointment of this year’s major championships.

A superlative outward 31 swept Ernie Els to the top of the leaderboard in the American Express world championship today – and threatened to push Tiger Woods down to world number three.

Fred Couples, two days away from his 45th birthday, burst back into contention for the American Express world championship at Mount Juliet today.

Tiger Woods went through the pain barrier to begin his defence of the American Express World Championship at Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny today – and amazingly birdied the first two holes.

World number two Vijay Singh leads Tiger Woods by three shots at the end of the third round of the USPGA Tour Deutsche Bank Championship at the TPC of Boston.

Vijay Singh eagled the first hole on his way to an eight-under-par 63 to take a two-shot lead over Tiger Woods, Bill Haas and John Rollins after the second round of the Deutsche Bank Classic in Massachusetts.

Tiger Woods has stretched his lead at the top of the World Rankings after impressive form at the WGC NEC Invitational this weekend.

Australian Rod Pampling is the surpise winner of The International golf tournament at the Castle Pines Golf Club with a score of 31.

Any suspicion that David Duval might decide to withdraw from the British Open was removed today when he not only showed up at Troon but was out on the course practising.

Lee Westwood has chosen to be “reclusive” in the build-up to this week’s British Open championship at Royal Troon. But that is bound to change once the event starts.

Tee-off times in the second round of the United States Open golf championship at Shinnecock Hills, New York, on Friday.

Tee-off times in the first two rounds of the United States Open golf championship at Shinnecock Hills, New York, on June 17-18 (USA unless stated, all times Irish time):