Nick Dougherty continued to lead the Omega European Masters after five holes of his second round in Switzerland today – but he was not on his own at the top any more.

England’s Nick Dougherty finally had something to smile about this season when he began the Ryder Cup race today with an eight-under-par 63 at Crans-sur-Sierre.

RORY McILROY showed no ill-effects from his recent wrist injury as he fired a 65 to tie for second place after the opening day of the European Masters in Switzerland.

Sixteen years after his unbeaten part in sending Tiger Woods to Walker Cup defeat, England's Mark Foster is hoping to seal a return to team golf in real style this weekend.

CRESTFALLEN glamour golfer Nick Dougherty is facing a stiff fine after taking a club to a tee marker during the first day of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The Irish trio of Gareth Maybin, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell have all enjoyed impressive starts to the Singapore Masters at Sentosa Golf Club today.

Seventeen-year-old Matteo Manassero, one of the stars of last year’s Open, made a brilliant start today to his bid to be part of the action at St Andrews next month.

A storming finish to his round enabled Trevor Fisher Jnr to share a five-way tie at the top of a clustered leaderboard after day one of the Africa Open in East London today.

Darren Clarke is keen to put a disappointing 12 months behind him when he tees off at this week's Africa Open in East London tomorrow.

THOMAS BJORN did not have much to smile about in France last week, but what a difference it was in Scotland yesterday. Bjorn, non-playing captain of the Continental Europe team hammered by Britain and Ireland, began the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with an eight-under-par 64 at Kingsbarns.

Chris Wood had luck on his side as he made it three wins out of three for Britain and Ireland against Continental Europe at the Vivendi Trophy in Paris today.

BRITAIN AND IRELAND had the better of things for the second day running and now lead Continental Europe 6-4 at the Vivendi Trophy in Paris.

Britain and Ireland had the better of things for the second day running and now lead Continental Europe 6-4 at the Vivendi Trophy in Paris.

Ian Poulter has explained his absence from the Vivendi Trophy in Paris this week by saying he wants to avoid burnout.

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL and Nick Dougherty were among those to miss the halfway cut as England’s Benn Barham retained the lead at the Austrian Open in Vienna.

Jose Maria Olazabal and Nick Dougherty were among those to miss the halfway cut as England's Benn Barham retained the lead at the Austrian Open in Vienna.

BLISTERING heat and a blistered foot served only to bring out the best in young German star Martin Kaymer in Paris yesterday, the 24-year-old beginning the French Open Alstom with a course record-equalling 62.

Blistering heat and a blistered foot served only to bring out the best in young German star Martin Kaymer in Paris today.

Nick Dougherty could not stop himself from laughing last night after the inevitable question came up following his victory in the BMW International Open in Germany.

ENGLAND’S Nick Dougherty, who this time last year had little desire to play golf, finally returned to winning ways in Munich yesterday – and with it earned a place in next month’s Open.

England’s Nick Dougherty, who this time last year had little desire to play golf, finally returned to winning ways in Munich today – and with it earned a place in next month’s Open.

England’s Nick Dougherty birdied the first three holes and joined South African Retief Goosen out in front on 17 under par at the BMW International Open in Munich.

Nick Dougherty put his “shocking” finish to the Wales Open behind him and moved into contention for the BMW International Open in Munich today.

The Celtic Manor Wales Open has suffered more drop-outs than the British government this week.

PAUL McGINLEY and Thomas Bjorn – high on Colin Montgomerie’s wanted list as Ryder Cup vice-captains – would love nothing more than to force him into finding someone else.

Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn - high on Colin Montgomerie's wanted list as Ryder Cup vice-captains - would love nothing more than to force him into finding someone else.

Colin Montgomerie today launched an impressive last ditch attempt to win an automatic spot in next month’s US Open at Bethpage.

Local boy Nick Dougherty put pressure on the late starters as the third round of the BMW PGA Championship got under way at sun drenched Wentworth this morning.

Nick Dougherty, without a single top-10 finish since last August, reminded everybody of his talent when The Irish Open began at a wet and windy Baltray today.

Damien McGrane overcame a bogey at the first to make a solid start to the defence of his Volvo China Open title as four birdies saw the Irishman move to three under par through 11 holes.

Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey came from five shots back and then won a three-hole play-off to capture his first European Tour title today.

Gareth Maybin has moved into a tie for ninth place at the Malaysian Open today.

Jose Maria Olazabal has called for a “special” performance as his European team seek to overturn a five-point deficit to defeat Asia and extend their 100% record in The Royal Trophy.

Asia were in the ascendancy midway through the opening day’s foursomes at The Royal Trophy as Europe squandered early advantages.

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.

Fortune did not favour the brave at The Belfry when defending champion Lee Westwood finally began his third round in the Quinn Insurance British Masters today.

Darren Clarke just failed in a brilliant attempt to make the halfway cut in the Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry today.

Jubilant Oliver Wilson joined Justin Rose and Soren Hansen in clinching a Ryder Cup debut today – but only after being given the fright of his life.

English pair Oliver Wilson and Justin Rose and Dane Soren Hansen will all make their Ryder Cup debuts next month.

Oliver Wilson played and talked like a Ryder Cup player in waiting today – but Nick Dougherty is poised for one last bid to catch him.

Ollie Wilson played and talked like a Ryder Cup player-in-waiting today – but Nick Dougherty is not ready to stop hunting him just yet.

Much to his relief, Oliver Wilson still had his Ryder Cup fate in his own hands at Gleneagles today – and the way he started should have filled him with confidence.

Oliver Wilson made the greatest comeback of his golfing life today to stay on course for a Ryder Cup debut next month.

Lee Westwood’s grandfather told him years ago that if he had nothing good to say then say nothing.