Sweden's Magnus A Carlsson took a giant step towards European Tour promotion thanks to his one-stroke win in the Challenge of Ireland at the Glasson Hotel and Country Club near Athlone.

Swede Magnus A Carlsson opened up a two shot lead as Birr’s Justin Kehoe and Antrim’s Gareth Maybin fell off the pace in the €150,000 Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club today.

FORMER Ryder Cup star Phillip Walton is among the recipients of a quarter of a million euro grant allocation announced by the Team Ireland Golf Trust last night.

THE Team Ireland Golf Trust have announced funding of over a quarter of a million euro for 29 Irish golfers.

The First Round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championshiop has been completed at Baltray Golf Club in Co Louth.

Swedish raider Rikard Karlberg carded a sensational course record 65 to grab the first round lead in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

Swedish teenager Rikard Karlberg carded a course record 65 to take the clubhouse lead in the West of Ireland championship at Rosses Point today.

Defending champion Stuart Paul was one of four senior internationals who were pushed out of the Ireland Amateur Open Championship today.

Another mediocre performance by defending champion Darren Clarke didn't please the Dungannon-born man.

Despite the fact that he had only 27 putts, Padraig Harrington reckoned his score of level-par-72 was a case of missed chances and various 15-footers failed to drop. Two birdies and two bogeys was the story of his opening round.

Eamon Darcy is winding down on the European Tour but putting in a strong finish as he heads for the Seniors' Tour School in America.

Eilish McCartan from Greenore pulled off a major shock at Belvoir Park yesterday in the Irish Girls' Intermediate Championship.

Tee-off times for the first two rounds of the 130th Open championship at Royal Lytham St Annes (GB and Ire unless stated):

Nick Faldo protege Nick Dougherty and Jamie Elson, whose father Pip played on the European tour, have both been named today in the Britain and Ireland team which will defend the Walker Cup in Georgia on August 11-12.