Hoey still on a high

THERE is a real spring in Michael Hoey’s step ahead of tomorrow’s Castellon Masters with the latest Irish winner on Tour targeting a return next April to Augusta National on the 10th anniversary of his only Masters appearance.

The 32-year old has had three weeks off since denying fellow Ulstermen and the double US Open-winning pair of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

Hoey has six events remaining over the closing eight weeks of the year with the current world number 99’s first goal to break into the top 64 in the world and qualify for February’s WGC–Accenture World Match Play Championship in Arizona.