Offaly’s Shane Lowry yesterday became only the second player to win on the European Tour as both an amateur and a professional.

Irishman Shane Lowry today became only the second player to win on the European Tour as both an amateur and a professional.

European captain Jose Maria Olazabal still has a chance to kick off Ryder Cup year with his first win for seven years - from the depths of 596th in the world.

SOUTH AFRICAN Jbe Kruger took advantage of a collapse by compatriot George Coetzee to race clear in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.

South African Jbe Kruger took advantage of a collapse by compatriot George Coetzee to race clear in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek today.

Pablo Martin’s hopes of an Alfred Dunhill Championship hat-trick lay in ruins in South Africa tonight.

SWEDEN’S Alexander Noren cruised to his third European Tour title despite a closing round of 77 in Stockholm yesterday.

Sweden’s Alexander Noren today cruised to his third European Tour title despite a closing round of 77 in Stockholm.

A POOR putt for par on the final hole robbed Peter Lawrie of finishing second on his own at the close of the Volvo China Open in Chenghu.

Nicolas Colsaerts secured a four-shot victory at the Volvo China Open to lift his first European Tour title.

Nicolas Colsaerts remained on course to land the China Open title after increasing his advantage at the head of the field over the first 12 holes of his final round today.

The opening day of the Royal Trophy ended honours even as defending champions Europe drew 2-2 with Asia in today’s foursomes.

Ernie Els will take a two-shot lead into the final day of the South African Open after a second successive 65 put him in command in Durban.

Pablo Martin’s successful defence of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa has seen him leap more than 100 places on the world rankings.

DEFENDING champion Pablo Martin held his nerve to claim back-to-back Alfred Dunhill Championship titles after a bad finish almost cost him in Malelane.

Defending champion Pablo Martin held his nerve to claim back-to-back Alfred Dunhill Championship titles after an error-strewn closing almost cost him in Malelane.

Robert Rock made a flying start to his final round at the Alfred Dunhill Championship to close to within four shots of leader Anthony Michael in Malelane.

Rookie Anthony Michael recovered from an awful start on day three to lead the Alfred Dunhill Championship by one stroke heading into the final round at Malelane.

Defending champion Pablo Martin and last year’s runner-up Charl Schwartzel both made strong starts to day three of the Alfred Dunhill Championship to close the gap on leader Anthony Michael.

Lee Westwood was delighted to show exactly why he is the new world number one after the 37-year-old carded an excellent opening round of 66 at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai to trail leader Francesco Molinari by a shot.

PADRAIG Harrington put an in different Ryder Cup and a two year winless streak behind him to bag a three-stroke victory at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia yesterday.

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.

FOUR Irish amateurs have the opportunity to emulate Shane Lowry’s amazing success at Baltray last year and upstage the professionals in the ‘3’ Irish Open Championship.

Luke Donald may be called “Plod” by his brother, but the Ryder Cup star’s precision rather than power game could bring him the biggest title of his career at the new-look Wentworth on Sunday.

DARREN CLARKE’S lowest European Tour round since 1999 was still not quite enough to give him the first round lead in the Joburg Open yesterday.

Darren Clarke’s lowest European Tour round since 1999 was still not quite enough to give him the first round lead in the Joburg Open today.

Colin Montgomerie led from the front as Europe battled into a 4 1/2 – 3 1/2 lead over Asia after the second day’s four-balls but warned there is still plenty of work to do if they are to claim a third victory at the tournament.

Europe ensured there will be all to play for on the final day of the Royal Trophy after Colin Montgomerie’s side battled back to lead 4 1/2 – 3 1/2 after today’s four-balls.

TREVOR FISHER JUNIOR held the lead at the halfway stage of the Africa Open after matching his opening-day effort with another 66 in East London to head into the weekend on 14-under-par.

Asia made a solid start in their bid to stage a successful defence of the Royal Trophy today after claiming a 2½-1½ advantage over Europe in the opening day's foursomes.

Asia have made a solid start to their defence of the Royal Trophy as they held the lead midway through the opening day's foursomes.

Colin Montgomerie believes a strong performance from Europe on the opening day of the Royal Trophy tomorrow is crucial in order to build up momentum for the remainder of the tournament.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE is eager to get the 2010 Ryder Cup year off to a positive start as he prepares to lead a European team looking to reclaim the Royal Trophy from Asia in Thailand this week.

Colin Montgomerie is eager to get the 2010 Ryder Cup year off to a positive start as he prepares to lead a European team looking to reclaim the Royal Trophy from Asia in Thailand this week.

THREE years after becoming the first Scot to win the US Amateur title in 108 years, Richie Ramsay now has his first European Tour title.

Three years after becoming the first Scot to win the US Amateur in 108 years, Richie Ramsay now has his first European Tour title.

Scotland’s Richie Ramsay won the South African Open at Pearl Valley today when he shot a best-of-the-day 65 and then beat Indian Shiv Kapur in a play-off.

Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson Hed and Indian Shiv Kapur – 431st and 361st in the world respectively – shared the lead after six holes of the final round in the South African Open at Pearl Valley today.

European golf’s man of the moment Pablo Martin extended his lead in the South Africa Open to three shots over the opening five holes of his third round at Pearl Valley today.

SWISS watchmaker Tag Heuer said yesterday it will not use Tiger Woods’ image in advertising campaigns in the US for the foreseeable future.

Spain’s Pablo Martin remains on course for back-to-back victories after claiming the clubhouse lead in the South African Open.

One of the best shots of his life helped Swede Martin Erlandsson to an eight-under-par 64 and a one-stroke lead on the opening day of the South African Open.

Ireland's Damien McGrane shared the lead at the South African Open at Pearl Valley today, sitting at three under alongside Argentinian Ariel Canete.

Ireland's Gareth Maybin described himself as a "no-name" when he played with Lee Westwood in the final group on the final day of the South African Open last year.