COURSE designer Robert Trent Jones once described the 18th hole at Adare as “the finest par five in the world” and it certainly lived up to its billing during yesterday’s first round of the Irish Open at Adare.

Simon Dyson today revealed how the loss of his drinking partners had inspired a renaissance in his career.

Ian Poulter is looking forward to a return to the world’s top 50 after a sparkling 64 gave him a four-shot lead entering the final round of the Madrid Open.

Sweden’s Robert Karlsson is on target for back-to-back victories and a certain place in the Ryder Cup after a brilliant performance in the EnterCard Scandinavian Masters.

After leading for much of the day, Ireland’s Darren Clarke was overtaken by Scot David Drysdale and Sweden’s Johan Edfors at the Barclays Scottish Open today.

Scotland’s Gary Orr led the challenge to overtake the French Open’s first-round leader John Bickerton after moving to within two shots of top spot.

Irish golfer Graeme McDowell qualified today for next week’s US Open at Winged Foot.

Munster’s Heineken Cup victory over Biarritz cost Darren Clarke a share of the lead going into the final round of the Nissan Irish Open.

The second morning of the Abu Dhabi Gold Tournament saw an upturn in the fortunes for some of the bigger names at the event.

SERGIO GARCIA has spoken of the sadness behind his victory in the opening event of Europe’s Ryder Cup qualifying race.

Sergio Garcia has spoken of the sadness behind his victory in the opening event of Europe’s Ryder Cup qualifying race.

SERGIO GARCIA put a smile on the face of Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam yesterday by winning the first qualifying event for next year’s match.

Sergio Garcia won the Omega European Masters – the first event of Europe’s Ryder Cup qualifying race – in Switzerland today.

Peter Gustafsson insisted that fellow Swede Peter Hanson bought him dinner last night – after being beaten by him in a play-off for the Spanish Open at San Roque.

DARREN CLARKE had to settle for a share of second place after another disappointing round at the MCI Heritage in South Carolina.

Peter Hanson beat fellow Swede Peter Gustafsson at the first play-off hole for his maiden European tour victory in the Jazztel Spanish Open at San Roque today.

Peter Gustafsson produced a spectacular outward half of 31 – the best of the week – to draw level with fellow Swede Peter Hanson in the final round of the Jazztel Spanish Open at San Roque today.

A hole which has been causing nightmares all week claimed Peter Gustafsson as another victim in the Jazztel Spanish Open at San Roque today – and left his fellow Swede Peter Hanson with a five-stroke lead.

There was more disappointment for Seve Ballesteros’ nephew Raul today when the Jazztel Spanish Open resumed at San Roque.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, back at the event which put him out of golf for six months last year, burst into contention for his first European Tour title today.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson burst into contention for his first European tour title today at the event which put him out of golf for six months last year.

Diego Borrego’s hopes of joining Seve Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia as the only home winners of the Spanish Open since 1972 suffered a big setback at San Roque today.

Nobody was happier about the Jazztel Spanish Open being held for the first time at San Roque this week than Swede Peter Gustafsson and it showed again today as the 28-year-old continued to challenge for the lead.

HOURS spent in his bedroom last week practising his putting and watching the Masters at the same time paid handsome dividends for Scot Steven O’Hara yesterday.

Hours spent in his bedroom last week practising his putting and watching the Masters at the same time paid handsome dividends for Scot Steven O’Hara today.

Two weeks after winning his first European tour title for 10 years in quite amazing fashion, Paul Broadhurst returned to action today and shot 80.

PAUL McGINLEY will look to make some amends for failing to qualify for the Masters at one of the oldest events on the European tour this week.

Neil Cheetham is just 18 holes away from realising his lifelong dream of a European Tour title at the Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Unknown Swedish blond Peter Gustafsson manufactured a crafty early-morning 68 to take an unexpected two-shot lead into Saturday’s third round of the Dunhill Challenge at the Leopard Creek Golf Club.

Peter Gustafsson may be a platinum blond who is more well known for his colourful headgear than his golfing prowess on the European Tour, but the Swede scorched into a one-shot lead in the second round of the Dunhill Championship.

Five years after falling off the European tour and nine years after being a Ryder Cup match-winner Philip Walton finally made it back today.

Overnight European Tour Qualifying School finals leader Wakefield maintained his place at the top with a second successive 69.

RICHARD MCEVOY’S mettle will be tested to the full today after his lead in the Omega Hong Kong Open was cut by defending champion Fredrik Jacobson, a man in no mood to relinquish his title without a fight.

NEW ZEALANDER Simon Owen is setting a hot pace in the first round of the Mobile Cup at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire by carding a five-under-par 66.