RORY McILROY will get his bid for back-to-back major victories under way at Royal St George’s on Thursday in the company of a former champion and a fellow rising star.

THE battle for top spot on the European Tour order of merit resumes this week having been largely in abeyance for the past six weeks or so as the leading protagonists concentrated on the FedEx Trophy play-offs in the US followed by the Seve Trophy at the Heritage club over the weekend.

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

Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell fired a sensational course record equalling 65 as Ireland clinched a top flight place at the European Amateur Team Championships in Scotland.

Rory McIlroy's bid for a third successive Radisson-SAS West of Ireland Championship ended in a dramatic quarter-final defeat at Rosses Point.

Rory McIlroy shrugged off some putting problems to cruise into the last 16 of the Radisson-SAS West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy struggled to a four-over par 75 as Co Louth's Simon Ward led the qualifiers in the Radisson-SAS West of Ireland Amateur Open.

Rory McIlroy was in form again today as Ulster secured the Interprovincial Championship crown at Ballyliffin.

Ulster and Leinster today enjoyed convincing Interprovicial victories at the Ballyliffin Golf Club.

Ulster and Leinster both hold comfortable leads at the Interprovincial Championship at Ballyliffin after today's action.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy cruised into the last 16 of the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close at The European Club.

Big-hitting Andrew Pitcher led the qualifiers in the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at the European Club.

Flying Finn Antti Ahokas beat pal Rory McIlroy in a three-hole aggregate play-off to capture the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Portmarnock.

Holywood's Rory McIlroy is within two shots off the lead entering the final 36 holes of the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Portmarnock.

Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell fired a three under par 69 to grab the first round lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Portmarnock.

Teenager Rory McIlroy came of age when he successfully defended the Radisson SAS West of Ireland Championship with a brilliant putting display at Rosses Point.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy is still on course for the Radisson SAS West of Ireland title at Rosses Point after producing a stellar performance to beat Scrabo’s Ryan Boal with a birdie at the 20th in the first round.

Teen idol Rory McIlroy cruised into the matchplay stages of the Radisson SAS West of Ireland Amateur Open championship at Rosses Point.

England's David Horsey fired a four under par 67 on his 21st birthday to grab the first-round lead in strokeplay qualifying for the Radisson SAS West of Ireland Championship.

Pre-Championship favourites Ulster captured the Golfsure sponsored Interprovincial

The Irish Amateur Close Championship at Westport Golf Club

Scores from the Irish Amateur Open Championship at Carton House Golf Club (O'Meara Course).

England's Joe Ferguson is the overnight leader after the first day of the AIB Irish Amateur Open Championship at Carton House Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Holywood Golf Club has won the Nissan Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship

After a day's play in the Irish Amateur Close Championshp at Donegal Golf Club, the leaderboard is as follows:

Kevin Moore of the Isle of Man leads after the second round of the Irish Amateur Championship this evening.

Matthew Clark of Scotland enjoys a three shot lead after the first round of the AIB Irish Amateur Golf Championship today.

Sweden’s Oskar Henningsson led the qualifiers in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point thanks to a superb course record equalling 65.

Swedish raider Rikard Karlberg carded a sensational course record 65 to grab the first round lead in the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

Swedish teenager Rikard Karlberg carded a course record 65 to take the clubhouse lead in the West of Ireland championship at Rosses Point today.

Mullingar’s John Morris opened with a five under par 67 to take a one shot lead in the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth yesterday.