Ryder Cup Dane Soren Hansen moved into contention for the European Open at the London Club in Kent today – and also witnessed something he has never seen before.

After a nightmare season in which he has made only four cuts in 21 tournaments and never had a single top-40 finish, Welshman Stephen Dodd’s career is suddenly on the up again.

SEVERAL of the game’s finest made their exits from the European Open at the London Club yesterday as the little-known Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh tied for the lead on eight under par at the halfway stage.

Shane Lowry’s professional debut ended after only two days at the European Open today after he could add only a 73 to his opening 78 at the London Club.

Lee Westwood will take a two shot lead into the final round of the South African Open tomorrow after he carded a four-under-par 68 to follow his opening 66 and 68 on the first two days.

Rory McIlroy held the clubhouse lead midway through the afternoon session at the South African Open after a five-under-par 67 moved him to within two shots of overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera.

Darren Clarke continued his spirited fightback on the third day of the South African open after his disappointing first-round 74, following up his 67 yesterday by moving to three under after 15 holes.

Lee Westwood is not getting his hopes up at the South African Open despite putting himself well in contention at the halfway stage in Paarl.

Darren Clarke was one of the few big-name players to suffer in the opening round of the South African Open in Paarl today after his five bogeys and three birdies through 15 holes left him at two over par.

Richard Finch not only won his second European Tour title today, but did something for which he will always be remembered.

Lee Westwood produced one of the greatest finishes to a round in European Tour history at the Irish Open today and now has his sights firmly set on a 30th professional victory.

Lee Westwood produced one of the greatest finishes to a round in European Tour history at the Irish Open today and now has his sights firmly set on a 30th professional victory.

Padraig Harrington ended a 25-year wait for a home winner of the Irish Open last year - and Rory McIlroy is hopeful the overseas contingent can be repelled again at Adare Manor this weekend.

Darren Clarke has said the Irish Open course was "ridiculously difficult" to play yesterday afternoon, after a round of 72.

Volvo China Open winner Damien McGrane insists his maiden victory on the European Tour will not cause him to change the way he plays.

Damien McGrane coped with the tough conditions at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club to secure his maiden title on the European Tour with an impressive nine-stroke victory at the Volvo China Open today.

A first European Tour victory cannot come soon enough for Damien McGrane, who took a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Volvo China Open.

Damien McGrane takes a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Volvo China Open after carding a four-under-par 68 today.

Oliver Wilson and Damien McGrane were joint leaders by one stroke at the top of the Volvo China Open leaderboard midway through the third round today.

Michael Lorenzo-Vera continued to impress at the Volvo China Open as he secured a one-stroke lead at the end of the second round in Beijing today.

Damien McGrane carded an eagle to soar up the leaderboard and join Richard Finch at the top midway through the second round of the Volvo China Open today.

European Tour rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera will take a one-stroke lead into the second round of the Volvo China Open after carding a five-under-par 67 today.

Ireland's Damien McGrane is in a tie for second place at the China Open after carding an opening-round 68 this morning.

South African Hennie Otto remained four strokes clear after the completion of the second round in the Madeira Islands Open at Santo da Serra today.

Germany’s Sven Struver leads South African Hennie Otto by one after a six-under-par opening round of 66 in the Madeira Islands Open at Santo da Serra today.

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.

JUSTIN KEHOE couldn’t be blamed if he hardly knew where he stood these days.

Home favourite Jean-Francois Remesy endured a nightmare opening round in the St Omer Open today.