When we watch the very best sportstars in action we are consumed by their ability to produce brilliant moments of magic when it matters most. The higher the stage, the more memorable the feat.

Can LeBron James lift a fourth NBA title and be compared to Michael Jordan as the sport’s GOAT, or will he lose in the finals for the sixth time? asks Kieran Shannon

Paul Dunne qualified for next month’s US Open as three-time US Open winner Tiger Woods was suffering another public humiliation that leaves as many questions about the former world No 1’s mental well-being as it does about his ailing back.

Four years after apologising for allegedly headbutting a photographer, the Turkish Golf Federation president has given Rory McIlroy both barrels for skipping the $7m Turkish Airlines Open.

There have been many high points in this year’s professional golfing calendar, yet all were somewhat predictable. 

I could have been inventing the internet. Or a Dyson, (or an O’Regan as it would be called), writes Colm O’Regan

The King is Dead. Long live the King!

Dublin might be waiting to take on Kerry in Sunday’s All Ireland Football final but it was a Mayo man who was beaming brightly at Carton House yesterday as Royal Dublin ended their 47-year wait for victory in the AIG Barton Shield.

Great athletes are a curious breed. For those who don’t know them in many circumstances, they appear single-minded, aloof and even obnoxious.

As a high school student, Cole Hammer is too young to drive the courtesy car given to all players to use during the US Open this week at Chambers Bay. So you can imagine yesterday was an emotional day for 15-year-old high school sophomore Cole Hammer.

Rory McIlroy might have added Ryder Cup stars Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald and Patrick Reed to a stellar field but the world No 1 is chasing an even bigger name for next month’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open — Phil Mickelson.

EA's upcoming Rory McIlroy PGA Tour will not feature the Augusta National course and the prestigious Masters tournament as its license expired.

‘When we arrive at the 2015 Masters, it will not be about Woods halting his losing ways; it will be about McIlroy starting his winning habit.’

United States captain Tom Watson has confirmed that Steve Stricker is being considered for a Ryder Cup wild card, despite already being chosen as a vice-captain.

McIlroy must not be sidetracked by trying to become the next Tiger Woods

“Normally I don’t watch golf, but I’ll watch when Tiger’s playing.”

The world’s best players will notice few changes when the British Open returns to Hoylake for the first time since 2006 this summer.

The controversy over Tiger Woods’ incorrect drop shot at last month’s Masters intensified when the unnamed “TV viewer” who phoned tournament organisers to flag the discrepancy was revealed as David Eger, one of the most respected rules officials in the game.

It was a week ago that R&A chief executive Peter Dawson held court in Scotland to discuss a myriad of hot topics in golf, from Tiger Woods’ controversial drop at the Masters, to Rory McIlroy’s Olympic status and the Vijay Singh doping case that is hanging around the game like a case of halitosis.

Tiger Woods has been given a two-shot penalty for taking an incorrect drop during his second round at the Masters yesterday, organisers announced today.

Tiger Woods’ bid for a fifth Masters title remained alive today after he was given a two-shot penalty, rather than disqualification, according to reports.

One of Ireland’s Masters contingent this week will be Alan Dunbar, using his exemption as British Amateur champion.

It’s impossible to play Augusta National blindfolded but Pádraig Harrington might have to do just that — at least on the greens — to make sure his eyes don’t deceive him when he tees up in his 14th Masters this week.

Winning Takes Care of Everything.

Rory McIlroy’s position at the top of golf’s rankings could well rest in Graeme McDowell’s grasp as he seeks to curb Tiger Woods’ domination of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.

A former US Open champion from the North was Tiger Woods’ closest challenger at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami – but it was Graeme McDowell and not Rory McIlroy trying to stay in touch with the 14-time major winner.

Seamus Power’s PGA Tour dream will have to wait for at least another year after the West Waterford man fell at the penultimate stage of the dreaded Q School for the second year running.

Rory McIlroy’s got his mojo back

As he stood on the podium at the end of another major, Pádraig Harrington was trying to gather his thoughts about a closing 73.

Adam Scott, who reckons he can remember every shot of Greg Norman’s closing 64 to win The Open at Sandwich 19 years ago, now has one of his own to sit alongside it in the record books.

Graeme McDowell paid a heavy French Open price after the enjoyment of taking in the sights of Paris.

Pádraig Harrington mounted a late charge for the US Open last night as overnight leaders Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk were locked in a grim battle for survival at a foggy Olympic Club.

For those who thought Tiger Woods’ run as the world’s best golfer was over, the 747-sized roar that emanated from the 16th green at Muirfield Village likely shocked them to their senses.

They may have been 1989 Irish Boys team-mates but that’s where Pádraig Harrington and Simon Parkhill’s golfing careers took very divergent pathways.

For Tiger Woods, self-absorption may not be a hindrance, it may be just the thing to restore his winning mentality

Tiger Woods’ agent has lashed out against Hank Haney’s book, saying his “armchair psychology” about Woods was “ridiculous” and that it was clear the former swing coach only cares about self-promotion.

RORY McILROY believes the pressure is all on Luke Donald this weekend as the pair battle to end the season as the circuit’s number one.

GRAEME McDOWELL left Singapore last night bound for the Land of the Rising Sun buoyed by a third and final round 66 for share of 13th place in the rain-affected Barlcays Singapore Open.

Greg Chalmers has won the Australian Open after holding his nerve to finish 13 under par at The Lakes in Sydney.

Tiger Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams has admitted that comments he made last night about the golfer “could be construed as racist”.