FILM actors are often given to hyperbole and self absorption. but when Michael Douglas last night described his playing partner Colin Montgomerie’s round of 65 at St Andrews as “magical” he was actually spot on.

Even from a distance Paul Casey could see Colin Montgomerie “smiling and strutting” at St Andrews today. And with every reason.

Of all the things Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam does not want to see or hear next year one is certainly Sergio Garcia coming up to him and saying: “Don’t pick me.”

Bradley Dredge and Barry Lane were today locked in battle at the Scandinavian Masters as the players tried to beat the weather in Stockholm.

Bradley Dredge extended his overnight lead in the Scandinavian Masters today as the players tried to beat the weather in Stockholm.

WALES’ Bradley Dredge carded a superb 63 to lead the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm — and could even have already done enough to win his second tour title.

Wales’ Bradley Dredge carded a superb 63 to lead the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm – and could even have already done enough to win his second tour title.

Colin Montgomerie put controversy behind him to take the lead in the Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters at the Forest of Arden today.

Henrik Stenson, one of the growing band of European tour golfers who have decided to base themselves in the Middle East, leads the Qatar Masters in Doha with a round to go.

Ernie Els’ presence at last began to loom large at the Qatar Masters in Doha today.

European tour golfer Fredrik Andersson was left looking like a weekend hacker today – two days after looking more like Tiger Woods.

There was good and bad news for fans and backers of Ernie Els following the second round of the Qatar Masters in Doha.

There was good and bad news for fans and backers of Ernie Els following the second round of the Qatar Masters in Doha.

Ernie Els steered himself away from am embarrassing early exit by going to the turn in a three-under-par 33 on the second day of the Qatar Masters in Doha today.

After a day he will want to forget in a hurry, Ernie Els is in danger of missing his first halfway cut on the European tour in six years.

Red-hot favourite Ernie Els was still searching for his first birdie after nine holes of the Qatar Masters in Doha today – and already had a lot of catching up to do.

Ernie Els will skip the $7.5m (€5.8m) Accenture Match Play for the second year in succession as he dedicates himself to Major glory.

Six Ryder Cup players, including two from this year's triumphant European side, have entered February's New Zealand Open.

Bernhard Langer has selected Colin Montgomerie and Luke Donald as his Ryder Cup wild card picks for next month’s clash against the USA at Oakland Hills, Michigan.

Thomas Bjorn is trying to find a way out of what he calls “the worst stretch I have ever had in my life”.

ROLL up, roll up. Come and see some of your favourite golfers in a situation they have never faced before – because the situation has not existed before.

Paul McGinley boosted his Ryder Cup hopes in the early holes at Gleneagles today as he played his first 12 holes of the Diageo Championship in four under par to be only one behind early leader Nick O’Hern, of Australia.

There was no hiding place for Scott Drummond at the start of the Diageo Championship at Gleneagles today – not that he seemed to need one.

Brian Davis completed a bizarre day’s work in the Qatar Masters today by re-igniting his bid for a place in the Masters next month.

Ryder Cup Swede Pierre Fulke played his final round of the Nissan Irish Open at Portmarnock in a lightning 115 minutes.

British Open Leaderboard

British Open Leaderboard

British Open Leaderboard

British Open Leaderboard

British Open Leaderboard

British Open Leaderboard

British Open Leaderboard

British Open Leaderboard

Tee-off times in the final round of the Open golf championship at Royal St George's, Sandwich, Kent, England

Tiger Woods ignored the distractions of a camera-happy spectator to zoom up the leaderboard in the third round of the 132nd Open championship.

Collated final totals in the French Open at Le Golf National, Paris

Philip Golding, the 40-year-old who has made a record 16 visits to the European tour qualifying school, has a chance to be remembered for something more than that.

England’s Philip Golding, the 40-year-old who has made a record 16 visits to the European tour qualifying school, has a chance to be remembered for something more than that tomorrow.

Thomas Bjorn today spoke of his determination not only to get back among golf’s elite, but also to get back to beating them.

DAVID DUVAL has withdrawn from next month’s Smurfit European Open at The K Club.

GREG OWEN spoke yesterday about his “hard life” on the European tour — as he moved into contention for a £250,000 jackpot.

England's Greg Owen spoke today about his “hard life” on the European tour – as he moved into contention for a £250,000 jackpot.

Darren Clarke goes into the British Masters tomorrow knowing he is the real course specialist at the Marriott Forest of Arden.