Rory McIlroy shot his first par round with his Nike clubs as Graeme McDowell turned a green light into a rip-roaring start in the Honda Classic.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is in a “stable situation” in a Cuban hospital receiving treatment due to a severe respiratory infection, his government said.

Venezuela's ailing President Hugo Chavez is being treated for a respiratory deficiency after complications from a severe lung infection, the government said today.

Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez has a respiratory infection after undergoing cancer surgery in Cuba and must have “complete rest” for the next few days, the government said today.

Justin Rose piled on the agony for Darren Clarke with a 6&4 drubbing at the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain today.

Tom Lewis beat Australian John Senden on his Volvo World Match Play debut in Spain today - and as a result put himself and defending champion Ian Poulter into the last 16.

Colombia's Camilo Villegas and American David Toms share the lead on nine-under-par after the first round of the Humana Challenge at La Quinta Country Club.

Unheralded left-hander Adam Bland will carry a three-shot lead into the final round of the 2010 JBWere Masters after completing a one-under 70 in extreme conditions on Saturday at Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne.

One of the top three leaders of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel died in a gunfight with soldiers, ending the long run of a mysterious capo considered a founder of the country’s massive methamphetamine trade.

Tiger Woods was left in an unfamiliar position at St Andrews today after being joined by Rory McIlroy in golf’s “63 Club.”

JP McMANUS has often spoken about the importance of fishing for visitors to this country, but it’s the Limerick businessman who’s netted the big one, with yesterday’s confirmation from Tiger Woods that the biggest name in golf is good to go for the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am on July 5-6.

SUDDENLY after a remarkable Sunday of golfing achievement, capped by Rory McIlroy’s Quail Hollow Championship success, Tiger Woods at 34 years of age seems very, very old.

GRAEME McDOWELL, who has reclaimed his place in the world top 50 thanks to a top 10 finish in the Volvo China Open, hopes for a repeat of some fond memories at this week’s Ballantines Championship over the Pinx golf course in Jeju Island, Korea.

YOU might not realise it, but this week’s Masters has more than just one entrant.

COLOMBIAN Camilo Villegas landed the Honda Classic title at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, after holding off a European challenge led by Justin Rose.

Anthony Kim powered to the top of the leaderboard at the Honda Classic on a good day for low scoring at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

A double-bogey seven at the 18th proved costly for Ireland’s Graham McDowell in the second round of the Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach, Florida last night.

Brandt Snedeker posted a five-under-par 66 to take the lead of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at the end of the third round in Scottsdale.

Mark Wilson closed his second round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open with four consecutive birdies to take a share of the lead alongside Camilo Villegas at the TPC Scottsdale.

Camilo Villegas shot a tournament record-equalling nine-under-par 62 to take the first-round lead at the Waste Management Phoenix Open yesterday.

Ian Poulter is a world champion, Paul Casey is a runner-up again – and England now have three players in the world’s top six.

ENGLAND’S Ian Poulter captured the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson last night as compatriot Paul Casey had to settle for second again.

Paul Casey set up an all-English final against Ian Poulter at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship when he returned to Dove Mountain in Arizona today and won his marathon duel with Camilo Villegas.

Red-hot Ian Poulter gave Sergio Garcia a real hammering in Tucson today - but went to bed not knowing his final opponent at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Paul Casey looked like making Open champion Stewart Cink yet another victim in Tucson, Arizona today.

Oliver Wilson and Marcel Siem joined clubhouse leader Robert Karlsson in a tie for the lead on the opening day of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

Lee Westwood continued to hold Rory McIlroy at bay early in the third round of the Dubai World Championship today – thanks to some more brilliant putting.

Liang Wen-chong was setting the pace at the Dubai World Championship today.

World number one Tiger Woods has his first title on Australian soil firmly in his sights after establishing a two-shot break over the rest of the field at the halfway stage of the JBWere Masters at Kingston Heath in Melbourne.

The PGA Tour’s hopes of completing both remaining rounds of the delayed RBC Canadian Open were again scuppered by the weather in Ontario.

The weather caused further chaos on day two of the RBC Canadian Open with heavy rain and lightning bringing an early end to proceedings and preventing any players from completing their second rounds at the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville.

Oliver Wilson missed a chance for a share of the lead at Doral with a disappointing final hole as Padraig Harrington made a welcome return to form today at the WGC-CA Championship.

Four birdies in the first 10 holes of his second round helped Jeff Overton into a share of the lead at the Honda Classic today with Rory McIlroy handily poised heading into the weekend.

Ireland's Damien McGrane made four birdies on his final seven holes to join American Anthony Kang at the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the Johnnie Walker Classic today.

Colombian ace Camilo Villegas is looking to cement his position as one of the top golfers in the world this year after a tremendous season in 2008.

Luke Donald is tied for fourth after the third round of the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines.

Reigning British Open and PGA champion Padraig Harrington bogeyed two of his first four holes and never got on track after the second round of the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Colombian Camilo Villegas fired a nine-under-par 63 to take the lead after the first round of the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Colombian Camilo Villegas fired a nine-under-par 63 to take the lead after the first round of the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Sergio Garcia has admitted his confidence has taken a battering after a third narrow defeat in the space of seven weeks.

Colombian Camilo Villegas is up 10 places to a career-high seventh in the world following his play-off victory over Sergio Garcia at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Sergio Garcia clinched the Vardon Trophy yesterday for the lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour in 2008, but that was scant consolation after another disappointing loss, this time at the Tour Championship.

Colombian Camilo Villegas stormed from five strokes behind in the final round before beating Sergio Garcia in a play-off for the Tour Championship last night.

World number three Vijay Singh has revealed he will play more frequently on the European Tour next year.