EUROPEAN TOUR rookie Shane Lowry had every reason to be pleased yesterday, putting himself in superb position to make a first pay cheque after a two under par 69 on the opening day of the French Open in Versailles.

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.

THIS time three years ago, Pádraig Harrington broke with precedent and entered for the French Open in Paris.

Angel Cabrera was in danger of missing his third halfway cut in four tournaments since his Masters triumph after he began his second round of the European Open with three successive bogeys at the London Club today.

The first three hours of the European Open at the London Club had just about everything today – from a hole-in-one to a quadruple bogey nine.

New Zealand amateur Danny Lee made history when he became the youngest ever winner on the European Tour with a one-stroke victory at the Johnnie Walker Classic today.

John Bickerton is hoping playing with Ross McGowan tomorrow will prove a good omen as the English pair head into the final round of the Johnnie Walker Classic tied for the lead.

Ireland's Damien McGrane made four birdies on his final seven holes to join American Anthony Kang at the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the Johnnie Walker Classic today.

Robert-Jan Derksen regained a share of the lead at the Johnnie Walker Classic after picking up two strokes to join clubhouse leader Anthony Kang on 10 under.

Dutch golfer Robert-Jan Derksen fired the best round of his European Tour career, an eight-under-par 64, to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Johnnie Walker Classic today.

Dutch golfer Robert-Jan Derksen carded an eight-under-par 64 to take the clubhouse lead midway through the opening round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth today.

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.

Sergio Garcia was the early leader on the first day of the Castellon Masters on the course he played as a boy.

Justin Rose has taken another step towards winning his first Ryder Cup cap - but only after a night when he wondered if he was ever going to get to sleep.

The number one spot on the European Order of Merit is up for grabs at the French Open this week with top four Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood and Oliver Wilson all competing for a first prize of more than €630,000.

MARTIN KAYMER, on course to become only the second German to play in the Ryder Cup, has proved he is not just a talent but a fighter too.

GERMANY’S Martin Kaymer came through the most searching test of his young career yesterday — and lies sixth in the Ryder Cup race.

German Martin Kaymer won the BMW International in Munich – but only after losing a six-shot lead and being forced into a play-off by Dane Anders Hansen.

England’s John Bickerton, whose third European Tour victory in December came courtesy of an amazing collapse by Ernie Els, was among the early leaders in the Madeira Islands Open at Santo da Serra today.

James Kingston moved to the top of the leaderboard at the South African Airways Open to head the field by one stroke after a three-under-par round of 69.

Robert Rock overcame gusty conditions at the Pearl Valley Golf Estates on Thursday to lead the South African Airways Open after a solid opening round in Paarl.

Defending champion Ernie Els leads a host of big names into the South African Airways Open at Pearl Valley this week, with the world number five looking to bounce back from his final-hole collapse four days ago.

Justin Rose’s rise up the world rankings goes on even when he is not playing.

John Bickerton has described winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Malelane yesterday as a “shocker”.

England’s John Bickerton took a shock win in the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa after a final hole horror show by home favourite Ernie Els.

Ernie Els began to show why he is the world number five by firing an impressive seven birdies to claim the outright lead at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Malelane.

Joost Luiten was the big mover in the Alfred Dunhill Championship with a stunning round of 64 to move onto six under par.

A strong finish gave South African Omar Sandys the outright lead at the end of day two at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Malelane.

Lee Slattery’s bogey-free round of 65 remained the benchmark as he headed the leaderboard in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at the Leopard Creek Country Club at Malelane.

The French Open’s recent reputation for springing surprises continued today when Welshman Kyron Sullivan and South African James Kamte, ranked only 421st and 386th in the world, took the first-round lead at Le Golf National.

Paul McGinley is leading the Irish challenge at the French Open near Paris today.

Three days after sitting at home thinking there was no tournament for him this week England's Stuart Little led the Spanish Open in Madrid.

Not since Max Faulkner in 1953 has anybody managed a successful defence of the Spanish Open, but a golden opportunity has presented itself to Niclas Fasth this week.

Two weeks before he plays the 75th major of his career Jose Maria Olazabal sprang back into life in windy Miami today.

India’s Jyoti Randhawa carded a seven-under-par 65 to take sole lead on the opening day of the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.

Jim Furyk and Adam Scott have reached their highest-ever positions in the world rankings following victories this weekend.

Padraig Harrington today became the eighth member of the European Ryder Cup team – but not in a way that gave him any great pleasure.

Lee Westwood overcame the worst possible start today – not just a double bogey, but a broken driver as well – to keep alive his hopes of clinching a Ryder Cup wild card with his first win for three years.

Swede Peter Hedblom raced into a three-shot lead at the BMW International Open in Munich today – as Lee Westwood wondered what was going to happen to him next.

Colin Montgomerie does not think United States captain Tom Lehman has put a foot wrong yet in the build-up to the Ryder Cup.

Lee Westwood climbed off his sick bed today and gave a performance that ought to make every European – not just Ian Woosnam – want him in the Ryder Cup next month.

Paul Casey would love to see Darren Clarke line up alongside him at the Ryder Cup in three weeks’ time.

There was good news for Ireland's Paul McGinley today, as Swede Johan Edfors – possibly needing another victory to make the Ryder Cup side – gave himself a mountain to climb the moment the BMW International Open began in Munich.