Rory McIlroy is in a “really good place” as he counts down to the Masters, according to his assistant coach Dave Stockton.

Preparation is everything at elite level but if you’re wondering why Rory McIlroy is not firing on all cylinders heading into his defence of the US PGA at Oak Hill, just ask his putting coach, Dave Stockton.

Rory McIlroy believes returning to his Holywood roots and playing a social round of golf in the company of his best mates could lead to him finally breaking loose from a disappointing first half of the season.

Two weeks after describing his own golf as “brain dead”, Rory McIlroy today admitted he needed to be less emotionally involved in his game.

The two people that know Rory McIlroy best, long-time coach Michael Bannon and Dave Stockton feel the 23-year-old is in flying form ahead of next month’s Masters.

Rory McIlroy is as adaptable with golf clubs as Floyd Mayweather is with boxing gloves. Both have the greatest technique in the world, the equipment just facilitates it.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert made six changes for the home Capital One Cup second-round clash with Tranmere.

Rory McIlroy certainly stirred the 94th PGA Championship final round by electing to wear a bright red shirt throughout his Ocean Course winning cruise.

While spectators cooled off in the nearby Atlantic Ocean, Rory McIlroy quickly warmed to a second Major success with a five under par 67 on day one of the 94th PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

IF there is one thing we seem to be very good at these days, it’s not letting go.

After spending two weeks relaxing on the sun-splashed shores of the Bahamas, Darren Clarke now faces a PGA Championship reality check along the shores of the Kiawah Island.

A Californian diocese has agreed to pay $3.75m (€2.8m) to a man abused as a child by the Tipperary priest who last week fled the US to return to Ireland.

We’ll hear it all week, hopefully in the ceremony in the log cabin afterwards too: he learned.

More than 80 people were arrested in New York in the latest demonstrations against corporate greed which sparked global protests.

FINDING your putting touch and a dollop of confidence is vital for anyone with major ambitions.

RORY McILROY’s bid to move on from his Masters disappointment continued at Wentworth yesterday as he spent more time with short-game expert Dave Stockton ahead of today’s BMW PGA Championship opening round.

CIARAN GLYNN took over the best-of-the-Irish mantle in the HSBC World Cup Qualifier at Tattersalls, Co Meath, yesterday, when slotting into eighth at the end of the dressage phase.

IT is a good thing for American golf that Paul Azinger likes to settle in for an evening in front of his flat panel television and watch documentaries on military strategy.

Wigan have clinched the signing of England U-21 midfielder Lee Cattermole from Middlesbrough.

Wigan will have to wait until next week to complete the signing of Middlesbrough youngster Lee Cattermole – but are unlikely to face any problems sealing the deal.

Nick Faldo made a slow start but was soon into his stride on his debut at the Senior British Open this morning.

The longest course in major history – 7,514 yards, no less – has been prepared for this week’s USPGA Championship. It is called Whistling Straits and it should have John Daly licking his lips.

Six women, including a British TV presenter, claim Arnold Schwarzenegger groped them on film sets and in other settings over the last three decades, a newspaper claimed today.

Jack Nicklaus lived up to his star billing when he opened with a solid one-under-par 70 to claim a place near the top of the leaderboard during the first round of the British Senior Open at Royal Co Down Golf Club.