Sweden’s Robert Karlsson defied the weather to card a four-under-par opening round at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters today to open up a two-shot lead midway through a first windswept day in Doha.

Victoria’s hefty investment in Tiger Woods has returned a healthy dividend in the form of the 2009 JBWere Australian Masters title, the AUSD270,000 (€169,000) first prize and the champion’s yellow jacket, all safely secured by the world number one at Kingston Heath today.

Rounds of 69 from playing partners Greg Chalmers and James Nitties earned the Australian pair a share of the lead at 10-under with world number one Tiger Woods after day three of the 2009 JBWere Masters at Kingston Heath.

World number one Tiger Woods has made a huge statement on the opening day of the JBWere Masters at Kingston Heath, Australia, tearing up the sandbelt course with a six-under 66 to sit level with James Nitties and 21-year-old South African Branden Grace.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen described today’s third round at the Ballantine’s Championship as “unplayable and unfair” despite maintaining a two-shot cushion at the top of the leaderboard with one day remaining.

Robert-Jan Derksen dropped a shot but extended his lead after nine holes of today’s Ballantine’s Championship third round as strong winds continued to cause havoc at the Pinx Golf Club.

Sergio Garcia dedicated his first European Tour win since 2005 to Seve Ballesteros after victory in the Castellon Masters on the course he played as a boy.

Sergio Garcia claimed his first European Tour win since 2005 when he triumphed at the Castellon Masters on the course he played as a boy.

There was no place like home for Sergio Garcia today as a six-under-par 65 gave him a share of the lead at the Castellon Masters on the course he grew up playing.

France’s Thomas Levet set the pace early on the first day of the Castellon Masters in Spain, completing his front nine in 31, five under par, to lead by two shots.

Marcus Fraser made a stunning start to the second day of the Madrid Masters, firing three birdies in his opening four holes to take the outright lead.

JEAN VAN DE VELDE has waited a long time for this week — the week when drug-testing become part and parcel of life on the European Tour.

Jean Van de Velde has waited a long time for this week – the week when drug-testing become part and parcel of life on the European Tour.

Bernhard Langer on Friday declared his compatriot Martin Kaymer ready for the Ryder Cup after seeing him scorch to a 63 and into a five-stroke halfway lead at the BMW International Open.

David Dixon shot a sublime five-under-par 66 to come from way back to clinch victory in the St Omer Open today.

Christian Nilsson stayed on course for his first European Tour win after nine holes of the final round at the Saint-Omer Open today.

Christian Nilsson consolidated his lead at the top of the Saint-Omer Open leaderboard after carding a solid one-under-par 70 in the third round on Saturday.

Sweden’s Christian Nilsson still leads the Saint-Omer Open after making a solid start to his third round on Saturday, but his advantage has been cut to one shot.

Lee Westwood found himself invited to a bull fight in Marbella tomorrow evening, but the Ryder Cup star could be busy picking up the winner’s cheque at the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia instead.

Lee Westwood pardoned a previously condemned putter to storm into contention for his first European Tour title in almost four years.

Ireland’s Paul McGinley produced a second round 67 to edge into the weekend action after his opening round 72 put the Ryder Cup ace in danger of missing the cut at the TCL Classic in Hainan.

After leading for much of the day, Ireland’s Darren Clarke was overtaken by Scot David Drysdale and Sweden’s Johan Edfors at the Barclays Scottish Open today.

Irish golfer Graeme McDowell qualified today for next week’s US Open at Winged Foot.

Michael Campbell was facing an early exit from the Celtic Manor Wales Open today, less than two weeks before the defence of his US Open title.

Luke Donald had a hole-in-one, but it was Nick Dougherty who set the clubhouse target when the BMW Championship resumed after a 60-minute rain delay at Wentworth today.

Munster’s Heineken Cup victory over Biarritz cost Darren Clarke a share of the lead going into the final round of the Nissan Irish Open.

Defending champion Nick Dougherty shot a five-under-par 67 to clamber back up the leaderboard at the OSIM Singapore Masters – but Singapore’s Mardan Mamat led the way for the third day in a row.

England’s Oliver Wilson feels he is ready to claim his first European Tour title after moving into the clubhouse lead in the Volvo China Open.

AN alternative career as a tipster could be on the cards for Paul Casey if the first round of the Volvo China Open is anything to go by.

England’s Barry Lane struck a blow for the older generation in the first round of the Volvo China Open today.

Pre-tournament favourites Paul Casey and Stephen Dodd left themselves plenty to do after their opening rounds of the Volvo China Open today.

Austrian Markus Brier and Swede Peter Hedblom made early moves through the field in the third round of the Mallorca Classic.

Lee Westwood is certainly going to remember the K Club’s 182-yard 12th if he returns next September for the Ryder Cup.

Trevor Immelman reckons the Open at St Andrews the week after next is “probably going to be the highlight of my career”.

A MAGNIFICENT eagle three at the 18th has elevated Kilkenny's Gary Murphy into a share of fourth place after the opening round of the Smurfit European Open at The K Club.

Six years on from his Open championship nightmare - and the even bigger nightmare that followed - Jean van de Velde is back in the spotlight.

Twelve months after Jean-Francois Remesy became the first home winner of the French Open since 1969 a multi-pronged attack on the title was being made today.

Jonathan Lomas claimed anything would seem relatively easy after last week’s US Open and that was the way it looked at the start of the French Open at Le Golf National near Paris today.

A lot has happened to Scotland’s Dean Robertson since he won the Italian Open in 1999, most of it not very nice.

PHILIP WALTON remains Ireland’s best bet to produce another player for the European Tour in 2005.

Ireland’s Philip Walton, Europe’s match-winner in the 1985 Ryder Cup, reeled off 12 pars in a row to stay at four over and remain on course for a return to the European tour five years after he lost his card.

Overnight European Tour Qualifying School finals leader Wakefield maintained his place at the top with a second successive 69.

Simon Khan quickly made amends for a poor finish to his first round in the delayed Mallorca Classic this morning.