Two-time Muirfield winner Nick Faldo has told Rory McIlroy he must not be distracted by non-golfing issues if he wishes to rediscover his form this and become Open champion.

Covered for three days by a ferocious dark sky, pounded with relentless rain, and advertised by many in the press as potentially the worst Major championship in 25 years, the 94th US PGA Championship had a stunning metamorphosis in yesterday’s opening round.

MOVIES are known to bring tourists in their wake — think the Dingle peninsula for Ryan’s Daughter, the west of Ireland for The Quiet Man, Greece’s Skopolos for Mamma Mia or Kefallonia for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, New Zealand for Lord of the Rings, or Florence for — well, just about anything ever put on celluloid.

THE Irish landscape, still the main attraction for the seven million plus tourists who come here each year, is just as exquisite in winter as it is in the summer peak season.

Spoon-bender Uri Geller will spend tonight on his Scottish island in search of Egyptian treasure.

Jockey Jason Maguire proved the man to follow at Bangor – with Bannister Lane’s victory in the Anderson & Co Handicap Chase the highlight of a near 178-1 treble.

The owner of seven commercial UK ports attracted takeover speculation today after it was confirmed an Australian firm held 20% of the company.

SOUTHERN VIC, who has the Irish National at Fairyhouse in his sights, has a prep run in the Lobinstown Novice Chase at Navan this afternoon.

Tony McCoy and Fota Island took advantage of a below-par display from Central House to win the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse.

Tony McCoy and Fota Island floored a disappointing Central House to win the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse.

THE progressive Southern Vic is fancied to concede weight all round in the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas this afternoon.

BRAVE INCA is the choice to outbattle Harchibald in the featured bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Forth Ports said today it was on course to meet its expectations after a significant improvement in trading during the second half of the year.

TONY McCOY can make his flying visit to Thurles today pay dividends by partnering Oscar’s Advance to win the INH Stallion Farms Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.

BOB GELDOF told a G8 protester yesterday that global poverty would not be ended overnight.

JOUEUR D’ESTRUVAL, successful in the race a year ago, can do the business again in the Imperial Call Chase at Cork this afternoon.

Kieren Fallon has applied for a license which will enable him to ride in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

RED OVATION is a hopeful choice to land the Derby Trial Stake at Glin, Co Limerick.

A search was under way tonight for a fishing vessel which lost contact with coastguards shortly after reporting problems.

THE campaign to ensure there will be an Irish captain when the Ryder Cup comes to Ireland in 2006 goes on unabated.

THERE are probably only marginally fewer pictures of Tiger Woods in circulation than there are grains of sand on the shores of the Firth of Forth.

The answer was accompanied by the familiar toothpaste-commercial smile, but the sentiment could not have carried a more sinister warning for the world’s top golfers. ‘‘What would be left for you to do if you won the Grand Slam?’’ Tiger Woods was asked.

IT'S as you were as far as the Irish representation in the British Open beginning at Muirfield on Thursday is concerned.

Coach Butch Harmon believes the keys to Tiger Woods winning the Open next week - and keeping his Grand Slam dream alive - are the Scottish weather and his physical shape.