Shane Lowry survived alate-round wobble and some high-volume commentary from a giant TV screen to put himself in pole position at the halfway stage of The 148th Open as Rory McIlroy’s late charge to the make the cut came up agonisingly short.

A pre-Open Championship pep talk from coach Neil Manchip propelled a previously uneasy Lowrytowards his lowest opening round in a major and the business end of the leaderboard on a rollercoaster first day at Royal Portrush. But what would Rory McIlroy have given for Lowry’s 67 at The 148th Open?

Bubba Watson shot a final round of 63 to win the Travelers Championship by three strokes.

For a guy who can make golf look easy, Dustin Johnson can’t remember a victory more difficult.

Rory McIlroy has been paired alongside Charl Schwartzel and world number one Dustin Johnson for the first two days of the Open Championship.

Masters champion Sergio Garcia continued his remarkable turnaround in fortunes to climb into contention for a second Players Championship title and third win of the season.

Rory McIlroy was far from his ball striking best throughout yesterday’s second round of the Players Championship at Sawgrass but he just about survived into the weekend’s after a round of 71 for an even par total of 144 that leaves him with an outside chance of challenging for the “fifth Major” over the weekend.

Defending champion Jason Day shrugged off a poor finish to his opening round as he targeted an achievement which proved beyond the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus.

Tiger Woods double-bogeyed two of his last three holes to turn a potential 68 into a one over 73 on his return from a 16-month injury layoff in the invitational Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

Masters champion Danny Willett has claimed his brother Peter’s controversial comments about American fans were correct, following a dismal Ryder Cup debut.

Masters champion Danny Willett has claimed his brother Peter's controversial comments about American fans were right following a dismal Ryder Cup debut.

Rory McIlroy said he needed a paracetamol after a raucous Saturday’s play in the cauldron that was Hazeltine National but you got the feeling that Darren Clarke had the bigger headache because of his underperforming captain’s picks.

The USA are ahead by three going into the final day.

The United States lead Europe 6 1/2 to 5 1/2 after the morning foursomes on day two of the Ryder Cup.

The pressure mounts when you’re a wild card selection and have the added stress of feeling the need to justify your place in a Ryder Cup.

European captain Darren Clarke dropped a massive hint about his pairings for the opening session of the Ryder Cup on the final day of practice.

Over the first couple of days of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club four years ago, everything was going perfectly to plan for then US captain Davis Love III.

US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III insists his final pick will be the best fit and not necessarily the best player.

A change of heart could pay massive dividends for Graeme McDowell after the former US Open champion survived a windswept opening day of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Rest up or tune up?

Jordan Spieth has replaced Rory McIlroy as world number one after finishing second to Jason Day in the US PGA Championship.

As exciting as it was to finally get the US PGA Championship underway yesterday, I found all the waffle and verbal tripe annoying. Talking for the sake of talking is boring and for a game that is haemorrhaging membership numbers in the US and in Europe, the conversation could have been a little more informed at times too.

Rory McIlroy best avoid US television for a week or so because the Green Jacket that should have been his destiny will be on screen and on the wrong golfer’s back far too much for his liking.

Michael Clifford writes that Maurice McCabe is the driving force behind changes in Garda culture, a report criticises consistency in dealing with care orders, Liam Mackey pays tribute to Ray Treacy and a US mother leaves her dsabled son in a wood for a week. These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com.

On Friday, in Round 2 of the Masters, JB Holmes made a near-impossible shot to wow the crowd on the 18th hole - which you'll enjoy whether you like your golf or not.

Rickie Fowler could be speaking for the entire field when he says Rory McIlroy is the one to beat this week and also that no-one here at Augusta National is going to make it easy for the Masters favourite.

Rory McIlroy kept his temper in check despite more problems with the eighth hole at Doral in the third round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

JB Holmes put the disappointment of losing a play-off at the Farmers Insurance Open behind him in the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Valhalla is a stadium-style golf course, which offers its competitors a wonderful study in contrasting landscapes and colour from the open, lower-lying front nine holes to the markedly more elevated and densely-wooded back nine.

Rory McIlroy picked up seven birdies and two eagles to storm to the top of the leaderboard on the first day of Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament in Ohio.

John Mallinger and JJ Henry shared the clubhouse lead at the Reno-Tahoe Open after completing their second rounds.

Ireland's three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington starts the Reno-Tahoe Open in Nevada tomorrow hoping victory could set him on a late run for a Ryder Cup place.

Pádraig Harrington starts the Reno-Tahoe Open in Nevada today hoping victory could set him on a late run for a Ryder Cup place.

Second-round leader Rory McIlroy faltered on day three of the St Jude Classic in Memphis as Nick O’Hern, Davis Love III and John Merrick moved to the head of the leaderboard on six under.