Jonathan Yates is one of the most improved players in Ireland this year and he got his reward at Carlow on Sunday when he closed with a course-record equalling 66 to win the prestigious Midlands Scratch Cup.

Liam Ashby has a two-stroke lead over fellow Naas man Jonathan Yates and three shots to spare over Colm Crowley at the halfway stage of the Midlands Senior Scratch Cup at Carlow.

The days when the late Fr Ned was one of the great driving forces behind the Midlands Scratch Cup might be gone but Carlow Golf Club will turn back the clock this weekend with a return to 72-hole combat

It's time for the annual "debate" over the Golf Digest Top 100 rankings and while there will be many who disagree with the order, it has to be said that the readers had a big input this time with 80 golfers from an entry of 2,628 having their views heard.

Muskerry's Jean O'Driscoll captured the Carlow Ladies Senior Scratch Cup on Saturday, edging out Lucan's Molly Dowling and Ballinrobe's Shannon Burke by a stroke on 152 with international Lisa Maguire, back in action again after her Leaving Certificate, taking fifth spot on 155.