England’s Ian Poulter had a real fight on his hands to claim a first European Tour victory in two years in the weather-affected Turkish Airlines Open.

Ian Poulter continued his brilliant form at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal after making an early start to the second round of the Turkish Airlines Open on Friday.

Ireland’s Peter Lawrie was setting the pace for the second week running when the Johnnie Walker Championship began after a 160-minute fog delay at Gleneagles today.

The start of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles was delayed for two hours and 40 minutes by fog.

Chris Swanepoel was the early pace-setter on a delayed day one of the Africa Open in East London, which saw more than 90 minutes lost at the start due to poor visibility.

Ireland's Colm Moriarty fired a superb five-under-par opening round of 66 to hold a share of the lead at the St Omer Open in France.

Sweden’s Michael Jonzon, with one European Tour win in 290 starts and fighting for his future, leads the Castello Masters in Spain with a round to play.

Just as he did when he took third place two years ago – in only his second professional event – Rory McIlroy tamed one of the toughest holes in golf today.

Scotland's Paul Lawrie, whose 10-year European Tour exemption for winning The Open ends this season, leads the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles after the opening day.

Gareth Maybin is in a tie for fourth place in the early stages of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

France’s Gregory Havret, who led last year’s Johnnie Walker Championship from start to finish, instantly made his presence felt again at Gleneagles today.

Darren Clarke describes the Kennemer course in Holland as one of his favourite venues – and he might like it even more tomorrow night.

DARREN CLARKE has given himself the chance to go ‘Double Dutch’ this weekend.

Darren Clarke has given himself the chance to go 'Double Dutch' this weekend.

Ireland's Paul McGinley is tied for the lead at the KLM Open in The Netherlands after carding a six-under-par opening round of 64 today.

Sweden’s Christian Nilsson held a four-shot lead after the third round of the Saint-Omer Open in northern France following a six-under-par 65 today.

Englishman Graeme Storm and Australians Kim Felton and Marcus Fraser braved harrowing conditions at the Gulf Harbour Country Club in Auckland today to share the lead at five-under heading into the final day of the New Zealand Open.

Englishman Nick Dougherty’s hopes of consolidating his overnight lead on the third day of the New Zealand Open suffered an early blow.

England’s Nick Dougherty headed a strong European challenge at the top of the leaderboard in Auckland alongside Australian Wade Ormsby at the New Zealand Open after two rounds of play.

After leading for much of the day, Ireland’s Darren Clarke was overtaken by Scot David Drysdale and Sweden’s Johan Edfors at the Barclays Scottish Open today.

Irish golfer Graeme McDowell qualified today for next week’s US Open at Winged Foot.

Munster’s Heineken Cup victory over Biarritz cost Darren Clarke a share of the lead going into the final round of the Nissan Irish Open.

Defending champion Nick Dougherty shot a five-under-par 67 to clamber back up the leaderboard at the OSIM Singapore Masters – but Singapore’s Mardan Mamat led the way for the third day in a row.

Defending champion Nick Dougherty mounted a charge to put himself firmly in contention at the OSIM Singapore Masters, but still found himself some way from the second-round pace.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and Australia’s Marcus Fraser shared the lead at the end of round one of the OSIM Singapore Masters.

Nick Dougherty found himself four shots adrift of the clubhouse lead as the defence of his OSIM Singapore Masters title began with a three-under-par round of 69.

Six years after appearing in the Ryder Cup Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin almost certainly lost his place on the European tour today.

US Open champion Michael Campbell admitted Thursday’s wash-out at the Deutsche Bank Championship had been “a blessing in disguise.”

US Open champion Michael Campbell admitted yesterday’s wash-out at the Deutsche Bank Championship had been “a blessing in disguise".

Ireland’s Peter Lawrie led the way in more senses than one when the £2.7m (€3.9m) BMW Championship began at Wentworth today.

A first win on the European Tour – any tour, in fact – is a notable feat in any golfer’s career - but the one by South African Richard Sterne in the Madrid Open yesterday deserves special mention.

SOUTH African golfer Richard Sterne rescued his European tour career in brilliant fashion yesterday by winning the Madrid Open with a closing 65.

South African Richard Sterne won the Madrid Open with a brilliant closing 65 today – and with it saved his European tour career.

A controversial incident on the 18th hole could cost Swede Johan Edfors his European tour career tomorrow.

Ian Woosnam restored some of his battered pride after going back on his promise to return to a short putter in the first round of the Celtic Manor Wales Open today.

Mark O’Meara, the 47-year-old former Masters and Open champion, today achieved his first big victory since 1998.

Paul McGinley, seeking his first win since he holed the winning putt in the Ryder Cup two years ago, chipped in at the last to regain a share of the lead with a round to go in the Dubai Desert Classic.

The sign-writer, on standby in case of a dramatic feat at the Heineken Classic, was pressed into action yesterday as Ernie Els shredded Royal Melbourne to shoot an historic round of 60.

Defending champion Ernie Els was on course for a sensational opening round at the Heineken Classic in Melbourne today after scorching to 11 under par from just 13 holes.

Chris Downes remained the front-runner at the Australian Open but there was little sparkle to his game at the Moonah Links course today as eight players closed to within two shots of the leader.

DAMIEN McGRANE secured his European Tour card in emphatic style in the final round of the qualifying school at Emporda, Spain, yesterday.

Five years after lifting the World Cup with Nick Faldo, David Carter did something far more important today. He rescued his European tour career.

LEINSTER go into today’s Golfsure Youth Interprovincial Golf Tournament at Lahinch as defending champions but such is the galaxy of talent among the other provinces that a retention of the trophy is by no means certain.