COSTANTINO ROCCA hopes the inaugural Sicilian Open, which gets under way today, will help Italy to continue developing into a major force in world golf.

Rocco Mediate will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Frys.com Open at CordeValle Golf Club.

THE judge hearing an action related to the privacy of the home of singer Van Morrison and his wife yesterday urged efforts be made over the weekend to move on the case which is set to go into its fifth day even though it was scheduled to take just two.

A JUDGE said it might be a case of not being able to see the woods for the trees when lawyers for Michelle Rocca and her neighbours squabbled over the legal definition of what was a shrub or a tree.

The High Court has heard negotiations are now underway in a bid to settle a privacy action initiated by Van Morrison's wife.

THE wife of Patrick Rocca, the multi-millionaire businessman found dead in a suicide shooting, said last night she was hurt by media speculation over her husband’s financial affairs.

The widow of businessman Patrick Rocca, who died in a suspected suicide, tonight said he had “no significant” financial difficulties.

The family of millionaire businessman Patrick Rocca, have been left numb by his sudden death, mourners at his funeral were told today.

The funeral takes place today of businessman and socialite Patrick Rocca who was found dead in a suspected suicide at his home earlier this week.

DUBLIN-based investment company, Rocca Holdings has bought a 12.5% stake in the Cork magazine publisher, Progressive News & Media.

John Daly still wants to be part of golf’s biggest events – but, as far as he is concerned, this week’s Players Championship in Florida is not one of them.

Robert Karlsson is hoping his decision not to play the Players Championship in Florida – golf’s unofficial fifth major – pays massive dividends for him in Milan this week.

Paul Casey produced the greatest finish to any Ryder Cup game in history today - with a hole-in-one.

Airbus said yesterday that it had launched an internal investigation into how three cables were cut on a giant A380 Airbus as it sat on the assembly line.

Ryder Cup player Costantino Rocca was disqualified from the Smurfit European Open today for missing his tee-off time – the day after American cup captain Tom Lehman received a two-stroke penalty for being a few seconds late.

FORMER Miss Ireland Michelle Rocca has flown to San Francisco with her ex-husband, footballer John Devine, to be at their daughter’s bedside after she was seriously injured in a car crash.

THE Country Club of Rochester, the venue for this week’s US Open Championship, holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Irish golfers.

Four days after losing the Open championship from three ahead with four to play, Thomas Bjorn took the lead in the Nissan Irish Open today – by holing a bunker shot of all things.

Less than a day after police foiled a plot to kill American diplomats in Pakistan, US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca arrived in the capital to discuss the war on terror.

Sandy Lyle brought back some happy memories from the distant past with an eventful start to the Volvo Masters at Valderrama today.

SWEDEN’S Adam Mednick yesterday won his first European Tour title in the North West of Ireland Open at Ballyliffin.

SCOTLAND'S Andrew Coltart set a new course record to storm into contention in the North West of Ireland Open at Ballyliffin.

Massimo Florioli stepped up his bid to become the third Italian in four years to win the North West of Ireland Open this morning.

Italy's Constantino Rocca continues to lead the North West of Ireland Open today.

Costantino Rocca made an excellent start in his bid for a second North West of Ireland Open title at a windswept Ballyliffin.

Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance, fellow Scot Gordon Brand Jnr and 1995 runner-up Costantino Rocca all look certain to miss out on the Open this coming week.

Sweden’s Carl Pettersson cruised to a four-shot lead in the wind-interrupted first round of the Algarve Portuguese Open at Vale do Lobo.

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Latest scores from Fota.

Van Phillips found a spectacular way of jumping into the lead in the Compass Group English Open at the Forest of Arden today.

Jose Maria Olazabal was celebrating today after easing Sam Torrance’s Ryder Cup selection headache by claiming his 19th European Tour title in the rain-affected Novotel Perrier French Open.

Jose Maria Olazabal captured his 19th European Tour title with victory in the rain-affected Novotel Perrier French Open.