Rita de Brún is impressed by the four star Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, which has been lovingly refurbished recently.

David Cameron has been warned that barring European Union nationals from claiming benefits in Britain would be “totally discriminatory” as he prepares to deliver a key speech on immigration.

European captain Paul McGinley was set to name his Ryder Cup wild cards later today, with two former world number ones anxiously awaiting his decision.

Such has been the gruelling nature of this 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield over the first 36 holes that whoever survives to lift the famous Claret Jug tomorrow evening will rightfully lay claim to the motto ‘He Who Grinds, Wins’.

It is the most nerve-jangling, intimidating tee box in golf, the opening hole at a Ryder Cup. So why in the world was every golfer in this 39th Ryder Cup desperate to hit the first shot today?

Martin Laird and Ian Poulter tumbled out of the lead while world number one Rory McIlroy crashed out of golf’s richest event again on Friday.

It’s a curiosity that is hard to fathom, though it perhaps says much about our human flaws.

SOME people just aren’t built for boats.

Amir Khan tonight looked forward to a rematch against Lamont Peterson, saying: “Justice has been done.”

Amir Khan tonight looked forward to a rematch against Lamont Peterson, saying: “Justice has been done.”

THE vast wealth of a Dubai company called DP World and their willingness to pour a major share of their riches into this week’s Dubai World Championship means Rory McIlroy could still emerge as Europe’s number one golfer.

Daniel Chopra is in pole position to claim the Iskandar Johor Open but Padraig Harrington and James Morrison remain firmly in contention after heavy rain in Malaysia saw the tournament reduced to 54 holes.

Luke Donald revelled in one of the best wins of his career yesterday after mounting a final-day surge to clinch the PGA Tour money list title by a whisker.

Chad Campbell and Michael Thompson led at the half-way stage of the RBC Canadian Open as low scoring again proved difficult on a unyielding Shaughnessy G&CC course in Vancouver.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has promised to address the latest allegations of bribery within the organisation.

Anthony Wall maintained his place at the top of the leaderboard at the inaugural Sicilian Open today but is set to come under increasing pressure from the chasing pack as the third round plays out.

A major international police operation has been launched to find four children missing from their home in County Louth.

Ian Poulter is relishing the prospect of some friendly rivalry as he bids to hold off the challenge from his 2010 Ryder Cup colleagues for the UBS Hong Kong Open trophy tomorrow.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has told Barcelona to either make a proper bid for midfielder Javier Mascherano or forget about signing him altogether.

LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson will have breathed a sigh of relief that striker Fernando Torres is looking forward to another season with the Reds, but he has another headache as midfielder Javier Mascherano declared he wants out of Anfield.

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson admits the club are having to work hard to persuade some of their disenchanted stars to stay this season.

MALCOLM O’KELLY will be afforded the opportunity to round off his long professional career on a high when he lines out for the Barbarians against Ireland at Thomond Park on Friday night (7.45 p.m).

Retief Goosen, unable to win a match at last week’s Presidents Cup, leads the Portugal Masters with a round to play in Vilamoura, while playing partner Padraig Harrington slipped from third to ninth and Rory McIlroy languished towards the bottom of the field.

Calmer conditions did Lee Westwood no favours as first-round play resumed at the Shell Houston Open in Texas.

David Beckham is set to return to Los Angeles Galaxy next month after head coach Bruce Arena revealed AC Milan failed to produce an "acceptable offer" before yesterday's deadline.

China’s carefully-controlled state broadcaster finally showed the sensitive footage of a protester in Britain shouting “dictator” and throwing a shoe at leader Wen Jiabao.

Raymond van Barneveld reached the final of the PDC World Championship with a topsy-turvy 6-4 victory over James Wade at Alexandra Palace tonight.

Ernie Els and Oliver Wilson were within a shot of clubhouse leader Lam Chin Bing at the weather-interrupted Barclays Singapore Open today when darkness ended play at Sentosa Golf Club with half the field yet to finish their first round.

Darren Clarke has called for an end to the sniping surrounding Ian Poulter’s selection as one of European captain Nick Faldo’s Ryder Cup wild cards.

Martin Kaymer, 2007 rookie of the year, seems on course for his maiden European Tour title after moving to 17 under at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship after a third-round 68 today.

Padraig Harrington arrived at Southern Hills hoping to add the US PGA Championship to the Open title he won at Carnoustie last month but a third-round 72 left him 11 strokes behind leader Tiger Woods and his dream in tatters.

Rory Sabbatini won his battle with Firestone Country Club's South Course to take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio tonight.

Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood have halved with Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor in in today's Ryder Cup foursomes match at the K Club.

Luke Donald was delighted after his eight-under-par 64 sealed a come-from-behind victory at the Target World Challenge in California.

Renault chief Flavio Briatore has praised under-fire FIA president Max Mosley and suggested the threat of a breakaway series can be averted.

LUKE DONALD was clearly not ready when he was thrown in with Tiger Woods at the 2003 British Open championship. But this week looks different.

WALES fly-half Stephen Jones joined the Lions squad in New Zealand last night determined to make up for lost time and reassert his favouritism for a Test spot.

Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0

Australian Grand Prix organisers are convinced Formula One will return Down Under despite threats from the world governing body.

Dunhill Links Championship defending champion Lee Westwood admits he will never have a better chance of ending his major hoodoo than next season.

Rubens Barrichello claimed his second consecutive victory when he became the first-ever winner of the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Williams have hit back in their escalating row with BAR by accusing their rivals of issuing a “misleading” statement on Jenson Button’s future.

DAVID BECKHAM is being blamed by some for Real Madrid’s Champions League exit - even though he didn’t play in the 3-1 defeat by Monaco that sealed the Spanish champions’ fate.