Ian Woosnam has taken the calculated gamble that Darren Clarke will be able to cope with the emotion of a Ryder Cup in Ireland being staged just six weeks after the death of his wife.

A massive 45,000 golf fans have taken up on Ulster Bank’s “Free Ticket Thursday” initiative at this week’s Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club west of Dublin.

Colin Montgomerie birdied four of the first five holes to charge into joint fourth place in the Smurfit European Open at the K Club west of Dublin today.

New Zealander Michael Campbell came out of the golfing wilderness with a play-off win in the Nissan Irish Open at Portmarnock tonight.