When in a cool, gray dusk in the shadows of the Old Course Hotel Tiger Woods turned from his practice-putting at the 16th fairway to see that Jordan Spieth was the next player approaching, the philosophical question could have been asked.

Anirban Lahiri claimed his maiden European Tour title after overhauling Bernd Wiesberger to win the Maybank Malaysian Open by one shot.

India’s Anirban Lahiri claimed his maiden European Tour title after overhauling Bernd Wiesberger to win the Maybank Malaysian Open by one shot.

Scotland's Scott Jamieson came agonisingly close to recording the first ever 59 on the European Tour in the third round of the Portugal Masters today.

Defending champion Shane Lowry missed the cut, Paul McGinley will play over the weekend for the fifth tournament running, while struggling Peter Lawrie is staring at a 25,000km round trip to Australia in the hope of saving his Tour card.

England’s Paul Waring and South African Hennie Otto inspired each other to claim a share of the lead with David Lynn after the second round of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura.

Rory McIlroy’s bid for a first win of the season got off to a slow start today as light rain greeted the early starters in the first round of the Irish Open.

A “bit of a funny” eagle today helped vault Thomas Bjorn into contention for a 14th European Tour title in the Lyoness Open in Austria.

Trevor Fisher Jr nudged into a one-stroke lead at the halfway point of the penultimate round of the Johannesburg Open today.

Open champion Darren Clarke shot 71 for four under at the Irish Open today, but compatriots Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy had their best days of the week.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, winless in 244 European Tour starts, takes a one-stroke lead over England’s Anthony Wall, winless in his last 364, into the final round of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush tomorrow.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, without a European Tour win in 244 starts, led the Irish Open midway through his third round at wet and windy Royal Portrush.

Northern Ireland’s “Big Three” were battling through heavy rain to try to stay in touch with the leaders of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush today.

It took Darren Clarke just two holes to leap 29 places in the Irish Open at Royal Portrush today – despite the pouring rain.

Padraig Harrington thinks major golf titles are like buses – “when you get one a few more arrive very quickly”.

With apologies to overnight leader Gregory Bourdy, this year’s Irish Open got the shot in the arm it needed when Pádraig Harrington birdied the 17th hole at Royal Portrush yesterday evening.

Luke Donald was paid a huge compliment by Colin Montgomerie today after a masterful 64 at windy Wentworth left England’s world number two feeling “a little bit invincible”.

Branden Grace set the early pace at the Joburg Open after a blistering eight-under-par 63 in the opening round.

Nine of Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup side – plus captain Colin Montgomerie - returned to action at Kingsbarns today.

ARGENTINA’S Ricardo Gonzalez leads the Open de España after day one following a round of 66 at the Real Club de Sevilla with a one-shot advantage over England’s Paul Waring who completed his day in 67 shots.

Refreshed by a five-week break with his family in Argentina, big-hitting Ricardo Gonzalez made a superb return to the European Tour today.

Former English amateur champion Paul Waring lapped up the perfect early conditions when the Spanish Open began in Seville today.

Thomas Levet was left wishing he was playing at The Masters rather than commentating on it after bursting into contention at the Andalucian Open in Malaga today.

Little Sam Hutsby took a giant step forward in his European Tour career today with a brilliant seven under par 63 at the Andalucian Open in Malaga.

Miguel Angel Jimenez erased Thongchai Jaidee’s one-shot overnight lead to join the Asian number one at the top of the Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard at the start of today’s third round.

Sweden’s Michael Jonzon, with one European Tour win in 290 starts and fighting for his future, leads the Castello Masters in Spain with a round to play.

Rafa Echenique lost his magic but kept his lead in the French Open Alstom at Le Golf National near Paris today.

Michael McGeady was tied for fifth as the first round of the Madeira Island Open BPI-Portugal was underway on Porto Santo today, two under after 14 behind Sweden’s Joakim Haeggman in the top spot.

German Marcel Siem, a World Cup winner alongside Bernhard Langer three years ago, made a good start today to his bid for just a second European Tour title in more than 180 starts.

Rory McIlroy’s one-shot lead at the Dubai Desert Classic remained intact this morning after the completion of the delayed first round at Emirates Golf Club.

Charl Schwartzel won the Madrid Masters, after a flawless five-under-par 66 in the final round left him three shots ahead of second-placed Ricardo Gonzalez.

Charl Schwartzel held off the strong challenge of Ricardo Gonzalez to post a five-under-par 66 and take a one-shot lead into the final day at the Madrid Masters.

Fourteen years after he first started trying to qualify for the Open Championship, England’s Phillip Archer has finally made it.

Ireland reached the final of the European Men's Amateur Team Golf Championship in Scotland after a dramatic 4-3 win over England 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.

Baltray's Simon Ward scorched to a six under par 66 to lead the Irish

Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Scotland's Lloyd Saltman look set for a head-to-head battle for the Lytham Trophy over the final 36-holes on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy celebrated his 18th birthday in style today by firing a four under par 67 to trail leader Lloyd Saltman by two shots after the first round of the Lytham Trophy.

R&A selection chairman Peter McEvoy has named an initial squad of 29 players for next August's 40th Walker Cup, to be held at the Chicago Golf Club, Illinois.

Scotland beat England 4-3 to win the European Amateur Youths’ Team Championship at the Island.

England lead the European Youths Team Championship after day two at The Island Golf Club in Dublin.

European Youths Team Championship, day one

HOLDERS Britain and Ireland carry a virtually unassailable lead into the final round of the Jacques Leglise Trophy t Lahinch today after defeating Continent of Europe 9½ to 2½ on the opening day of foursomes and singles matchplay.