Shane Lowry produced his lowest score in three months despite hitting a female spectator on the head with an errant shot on the opening day of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

The halfway cut fell at eight over par, but Ian Poulter was still predicting a “fun weekend” as the weather-delayed US Open looked to get back on track at Merion today.

UCC’s Ian O’Rourke smashed the men’s course record at Strandhill Golf Club with a dazzling eight-under-par 62 to coast to victory in the second event in the Intervarsity Series.

Retief Goosen stormed into a four-shot lead with two holes still to play in his first round at a rain-affected South African Open in Durban today.

Retief Goosen stormed into a four-shot lead with two holes still to play in his first round at a rain-affected South African Open in Durban today.

Martin Kaymer’s made a rocky start in his bid to claim the world number one ranking at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters in Sotogrande today.

Gary Boyd saw his overnight lead cut to a single shot at the halfway stage of the final round at the Castello Masters in Spain.

Room-mates Gary Boyd and John Parry both shot rounds of 63 to equal the course record at the Castello Masters in Spain.

England’s John Parry surged into the early clubhouse lead on the third day of the Castello Masters in Spain.

Jeppe Huldahl’s record-equalling round of 61 was not enough for him to claim the lead at the Portugal Masters as Pablo Martin raced into a three-shot advantage going into tomorrow’s final round after a day of low scoring in Vilamoura.

LEE WESTWOOD has decided not to play again this month because of his nagging leg injury – and as a result will take the world number one spot off Tiger Woods on October 31.

St Andrews, the Home of Golf, could tomorrow see Lee Westwood crowned as the new world number one - and little-known John Parry as the shock winner of one of Europe's richest events.

Lee Westwood gave himself a chance to become world number one with a superb charge at Carnoustie today, but little-known John Parry was still the man to catch in the Dunhill Links Championship.

Three birdies in his first five holes at Carnoustie this morning reignited Lee Westwood’s bid to grab the world number one spot off Tiger Woods.

England's John Parry left nine of Europe's Ryder Cup side trailing in his wake at St Andrews today - in an event he was not qualified for until he won his first European Tour title two weeks ago.

Lee Westwood battled on in the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews today, but whether he would make it through the entire week because of his injured calf remained to be seen.

Padraig Harrington had a spring in his step again as he moved on from France to Wales for the Ryder Cup.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON delivered the European Ryder Cup team a timely boost in producing an impressive eight under par 64 on the final day of the Vivendi Cup in Chambourcy.

England’s John Parry – a team-mate of Rory McIlroy in the 2007 Walker Cup - today became the third rookie to win on this season’s European Tour.

Padraig Harrington’s final competitive outing before the Ryder Cup saw him equal his lowest round of the year – an eight under par 64 – in Paris today.

England’s John Parry will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Vivendi Cup in Paris.

Padraig Harrington was showing signs of getting back on track at the Vivendi Cup as he attempts to find some form ahead of next weekend’s Ryder Cup.

Padraig Harrington, much to his relief, has two more rounds to try to get his game in shape for the Ryder Cup.

IT WAS a long, anxious afternoon wait for Pádraig Harrington, along with his two elder brothers, before confirmation the triple Major winner had done enough to play all four rounds of the Vivendi Cup at Chambourcy.

Padraig Harrington is a massive 11 shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the low-key Vivendi Trophy in Paris – but at least he is still in it.

US Open champion Graeme McDowell was upstaged by world number 317 John Parry, who carded a second-round 67 to take the lead at the Austrian Open in Atzenbrugg.

THOMAS BJORN and Carlos Del Moral both shot rounds of 65 to share a two-shot lead at the top of the Estoril Open leaderboard at the end of the second day.

Thomas Bjorn and Carlos Del Moral both shot rounds of 65 to share a two-shot lead at the top of the Estoril Open leaderboard at the end of the second day.

Andrew Dodt set the early pace in the third round of the Avantha Masters after three consecutive birdies saw the Australian head the leaderboard on 12 under par at DLF Golf and Country Club.

BARRY LANE was delighted to show he can still mix it with the young guns of the European Tour after the veteran Englishman took the clubhouse lead following a weather-shortened second day at the Avantha Masters in Delhi.

Barry Lane was delighted to show he can still mix it with the young guns of the European Tour after the veteran Englishman took the clubhouse lead following a weather-shortened second day at the Avantha Masters in Delhi.

Germany’s Marcel Siem eagled his final hole en route to an eight-under-par 64 today to secure a one-stroke lead at the end of the opening round of the inaugural Avantha Masters.

Germany’s Marcel Siem shot an eagle on his last hole to claim the clubhouse lead with an eight-under-par 64 midway through the opening round of the Avantha Masters today.

Britain and Ireland’s amateurs needed a near miracle to win back the Walker Cup at Royal County Down today after being whitewashed in the second series of foursomes.

One of the leading lights of the Britain and Ireland Walker Cup side failed to shine on the opening day at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.

The United States held the early advantage when they began the defence of the Walker Cup against Britain and Ireland’s amateurs at Royal County Down in the North today.

Daniel Willett caused a stir in the opening matchplay round of the British Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes today as he claimed the notable scalp of rising Irish star Rory McIlroy.

Rory McIlroy revived his feint hopes of victory in the St Andrews Links Trophy when he carded a three-under par 69 over the Old Course in Saturday's second round.