It took some of golf’s cogniscenti a while to digest the depth of Rory McIlroy’s quality. No one is doubting the torch has passed now. By Jim McCabe.

Graeme McDowell has joined a growing groundswell calling for organisers to abandon the thought of staging a 72-hole strokeplay tournament when golf returns to the Olympics in 2016.

All-American nice guy Matt Kuchar playfully told the media to “suck it” after clinching the US PGA Players Championship and its $1.7 million (€1.3m) winner’s cheque.

Local favourite Geoff Ogilvy produced a brilliant eight-under-par third round of 63 to replace Ian Poulter at the top of the JBWere Australian Masters leaderboard.

AS curiosities go, there are many when we concern ourselves with the level of golf that is on display here at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

Graeme McDowell said in Ireland last week he felt close to his best form and today in Akron he looked closer still, going to the turn in a three-under-par 32 when the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational began.

Only 30 minutes’ play was possible before a fierce thunderstorm hit the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami today.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON insists he will have to get back to his match play roots if he is avoid a first-round sucker-punch at the hands of Australian heavyweight Geoff Ogilvy in the $8.5m (€6.2m) WGC –Accenture Match Play in Tucson.

Geoff Ogilvy won the Australian Open after a final round of 69 saw him triumph by four shots in Sydney.

Geoff Ogilvy is firmly on course to win the Australian Open after extending his lead over the rest of the field to five shots after today’s third round.

Geoff Ogilvy established a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club, while American drawcard John Daly endured a torrid back nine to miss the cut for the weekend.

GRAEME MCDOWELL understands why Rory McIlroy quit the US Tour while Pádraig Harrington is anxious to discuss the decision with the Ulster star.

England’s Luke Donald tonight remained firmly in contention for a $11.3m payday in the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Luke Donald held a one-shot lead after a superb outward 32 in his second round of the Tour Championship in Atlanta today.

A COUPLE of weeks ago, Graeme McDowell became the first European winner of the US Open in 40 years for two very good reasons.

Australian star Geoff Ogilvy has pulled out of this week’s Barclays Scottish Open – the event he calls “my second national Open” – to concentrate on St Andrews.

Justin Rose hopes to turn his opening round 65 into a winning lead on day two of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Ohio.

HOW Tiger Woods acts is going to be put under the microscope as much as what he says and what he scores when he returns to golf this week.

RORY McILROY pulled a brilliant victory from the jaws of defeat when the WGC-Accenture World Match Play Championship began in Tucson yesterday.

Rory McIlroy pulled a brilliant victory from the jaws of defeat when the WGC-Accenture World Match Play Championship began in Tucson today.

A dazzling putting display gave Luke Donald victory over ex-Walker Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson today.

Irish golfer Rory McIlroy is back amongst the top 10 golfers in the world today following the publication of updated rankings.

FORMER US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy has urged exiled world number one Tiger Woods to make his return to the public eye away from the golf course out of respect for the game and his fellow professionals.

Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy has urged exiled world number one Tiger Woods to make his return to the public eye away from the golf course out of respect for the game and his fellow professionals.

GEOFF OGILVY repeated his season-opening success of 12 months ago in Hawaii but promised not to make the same mistakes that led to a slump in form during the height of the campaign.

Scot Martin Laird is up to 84th in the world after his fourth-placed finish at the US Tour-opening SBS Championship in Hawaii.

Geoff Ogilvy successfully defended his title at Kapalua as he won the season-opening SBS Championship by a stroke in Hawaii.

Robert Allenby made the most of ideal conditions to lead the Australian PGA Championship today at Coolum going into the final round.

Lee Westwood increased his lead to three the moment he started his final round in the Dubai World Championship today and at the moment has stretched that lead to six.

A late rally from the International team kept the United States’ Presidents Cup lead at just one point heading into the weekend after the fourball matches in San Francisco.

The United States took an early lead in foursomes over the International team at Harding Park as the Presidents Cup got underway in San Francisco.

Phil Mickelson will not let a sore back dampen his excitement at leading off the United States’ Presidents Cup defence alongside Ryder Cup playing partner Anthony Kim tonight in San Francisco.

TIGER WOODS pocketed $10m on Sunday and claimed it was a just reward for an “unbelievable grind” at the end of a six-win year.

AGONY.

World number five Geoff Ogilvy is hoping to again fly under the radar at next week’s US Open at Bethpage Black in New York.

After thrilling golfing galleries across America in the last two months, Rory McIlroy cannot wait to get back to his first love of links golf at The 3 Irish Open at County Louth Golf Club, Baltray, from May 14-17.

Richard Finch was left to reflect on a missed opportunity to secure his third European Tour victory at the Volvo China Open – but the Hull-born golfer still drew plenty of positives from his endeavours around Beijing CBD International GC.

Paul Casey and Geoff Ogilvy were battling it out for supremacy on the PGA Tour again as the wind-delayed Shell Houston Open played catch up.

Paul Casey was quickly able to see beyond a disappointing finish to his week’s work after finishing runner-up at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Geoff Ogilvy won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship for the second time in four years today with a dominant 4&3 victory over Paul Casey.

Geoff Ogilvy was in dominant form against Paul Casey in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship final on Sunday, closing in on a second title in four years.

Geoff Ogilvy took a firm grip on the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship final today with a healthy lead over Paul Casey.

Geoff Ogilvy has backed Rory McIlroy to continue rising through the world rankings after his impressive professional debut in the United States.

England's Paul Casey trailed Geoff Ogilvy over the opening holes as the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship final got under way.