Rory McIlroy has cut down on the distractions as he attempts to complete the career grand slam at Augusta this week.

No snapped clubs for Henrik Stenson at Valhalla yesterday, just a lot of love for his putter as the Swede stayed in touch with Rory McIlroy at the top of the PGA Championship leaderboard.

It began in January 2013, with an Abu Dhabi laser show worthy of the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Australia that served as a backdrop for his ill-fated engagement to Caroline Wozniacki nearly one year later.

The eyes of the golfing world, not to mention a dedicated TV channel, will be on Tiger Woods in the opening round of the 143rd Open Championship on Thursday.

There was plenty of comfort for Rory McIlroy, but not for Darren Clarke, on the opening day of the Wells Fargo Championship in suburban Charlotte, North Carolina.

Ian Poulter believes European captain Paul McGinley will be delighted with the way his side is taking shape ahead of the Ryder Cup in September.

Rory McIlroy believes almost three-quarters of the 97-strong field can win the US Masters, while Justin Rose neatly summed up an unpredictable season so far.

Graeme McDowell might have disappointed in the 2013 majors but three wins worldwide is a pretty good return in anyone’s book and if you’re wondering what the future holds, just ask his caddie Ken Comboy.

For only a second occasion this season Rory McIlroy confessed he could feel proud at the sight of his face appearing on advertising billboards and banners promoting this week’s Australian Open.

At face value, it may have appeared more than a little crass of the Asian Tour to go ahead with the Manila Masters last week in the wake of the devastation that visited other parts of the Philippines in the form of Typhoon Haiyan.

Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher remains in a “critical” condition in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The age old adage that you should be careful what you wish for is certainly holding true for Darren Clarke, just eight months after what was described as an “unseemly” politicking for the Ryder Cup captaincy.

It may have come a week too late for his PGA Championship defence hopes but Rory McIlroy is more than confident he has turned a corner in time to rescue what has been a substandard season.

Jason Dufner had sat in the media centre two years previously at Atlanta Athletic Club as the disappointed yet philosophical PGA Championship runner-up. Sunday night he was back on stage at Oak Hill as a newly-minted Major champion.

American Jason Dufner tonight claimed his first Major title after surviving a nervous finish in the 95th US PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

American Jason Dufner tonight claimed his first major title after surviving a nervous finish in the 95th US PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

Rory McIlroy saw his hopes of a successful PGA Championship title defence hit the rocks last night as Jason Dufner was attempting to protect a two-shot lead down the stretch at Oak Hill.

Shane Lowry will take a well-earned break this week, satisfied with his 2013 season to date that belongs in the company of the world’s best players.

The world’s top two players looked anything but after finding themselves relegated to the status of also-rans in the US PGA Championship today.

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods found themselves among the early starters in the third round of the US PGA Championship today – and both needed to create history to win at Oak Hill.

Jason Dufner took a two-shot lead into the third round of the US PGA Championship, but all the talk at Oak Hill was about the only bad shot he hit yesterday.

Jason Dufner shot himself into the golfing record books at the PGA Championship last night with a second-round of 63, equalling the lowest score ever carded in Major championship history.

The way Martin Kaymer has plotted his way so assuredly around Oak Hill so far this week, it is staggering to think there were genuine concerns the German was not fit for purpose on the European team at last September’s Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy came into Oak Hill looking to regain the bounce in his step and after a stirring fightback during the second round of his PGA Championship defence he was looking forward with optimism to a weekend in contention in the final Major of the year.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy’s thoughts turned from survival to revival after an excellent recovery in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

Lee Westwood admitted he had been “kicked where it hurts” after a bad finish to his second round of the 95th US PGA Championship at a soggy Oak Hill.

Oak Hill was threatening to become “Soak Hill” as the second round of the 95th US PGA Championship continued amid persistent rain today.

Rory McIlroy may have been pleased to see the dark clouds gather over Oak Hill last night, just as a bright start to his PGA Championship defence was getting a little gloomy in upstate New York.

Pádraig Harrington admitted he will treat today’s second round of the PGA Championship as practice after his ongoing woes continued with an opening six-over-par 76 at Oak Hill.

As Paul McGinley predicted, when he met Darren Clarke, his one-time Ryder Cup team-mate turned captaincy rival on the first tee at Oak Hill yesterday, it was smiles as they shook hands.

Tiger Woods insisted no damage had been done to his bid for a 15th major title despite a nightmare finish his first round of the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

Rory McIlroy has made a promising start to the defence of his US PGA title.

99 of the world’s top 100 were today among the field contesting the US PGA Championship, but world number two Phil Mickelson was almost not among them.

Graeme McDowell’s Major fortunes have gone from bittersweet to bitter over the last two seasons, but the Portrush man will approach the last shot at glory this year happy that his dark horse status could bring a simply sweet conclusion.

Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has pledged to draw a line in the sand over any ill feeling with Darren Clarke over their rival candidacies to lead Europe against the USA at Gleneagles next year.

Rory McIlroy will launch the defence of his PGA Championship title today confident that his smooth swing can find a way back into his game and march in behind a renewed pep in his step.

Phil Mickelson believes he could find it easier to win major championships rather than regular tour events after turning two of his weaknesses into strengths.

Pádraig Harrington has us spoiled. After 60 years of little or no expectation of an Irish major victory, he came along and won three of them inside 13 months.

His game is dominant, and with five victories in 12 starts this year as well as two major top-10 finishes, the success rate is phenomenal.

Phil Mickelson may have his heart set on the US Open title that will bring a career Grand Slam but he insists he is more than ready to land a sixth major victory anywhere, including at this week’s PGA Championship.

Preparation is everything at elite level but if you’re wondering why Rory McIlroy is not firing on all cylinders heading into his defence of the US PGA at Oak Hill, just ask his putting coach, Dave Stockton.

Tiger Woods can’t wait to get to the PGA Championship. Woods grabbed a big lead with a second-round 61 and then closed out the field with a safe and smart even-par 70 on Sunday to roll to a seven-shot victory at the Bridgestone Invitational.

I definitely feel like now I can go out and have more control of my golf ball, which is a good thing, while my short game is pretty good so I have brought a few positives here to the PGA