It was a good Friday for four of Ireland's 2015 Walker Cup heroes with Jack Hume, Gary Hurley, Gavin Moynihan and Paul Dunne all playing well around the world.

Professional golf is a cruel mistress. If you don’t believe us, just ask Lurgan man Gareth Shaw.

Evian Championship — World Amateur No 1 Leona Maguire got off to a positive start in the Evian Championship in France as she bids to maintain her Olympic Games ranking and gain valuable experience against the professionals.

Gareth Shaw was the leading Irishman but Chris Selfridge may look back on the Cordon Golf Open as the maiden professional win that got away.

Michael Hoey is lurking dangerously as he tracks his sixth European Tour win but perhaps even more impressive was Brian Casey’s back nine charge in the M2M Russian Open.

European Tour — Damien McGrane and Niall Tuner shot one under 70s to lead the Irish challenge in the M2M Russian Open in Moscow.

Muskerry’s Niall Turner shares the lead heading into the final round of the Northern Ireland Open in Association with Sphere Global and Ulster Bank after a three under par third round 68 at Galgorm Castle moved him to the summit alongside second round leader Emilio Cuartero Blanco.

He’s made just one cut from four starts this year — in faraway Bali of all places —  but 32-year old Corkman Niall Turner is showing far nearer home that he has a game for all climes.

Michael Hoey comes into this week’s Northern Ireland Open, in association with SPHERE Global and Ulster Bank, showing some of his best form of the season after a run to the quarter-finals in last week’s Paul Lawrie Match play event in Scotland.

Challenge Tour — Michael McGeady and Chris Selfridge made the cut as Welshman Rhys Davies maintained his four stroke lead at the Fred Olsen Open de España.

Alps Tour — Teenager David Carey added a six birdie 66 to his opening 69 to lie just a shot off the lead in the Servizitalia Open.

Ruaidhri McGee took another huge step towards winning his European Tour card when he finished tied third behind Scotland’s Jamie McLeary in the KPMG Trophy in Belgium.

Two years ago he was on the verge of playing his way onto the European Tour. He came up just short, lost form and suffered injuries but Lurgan’s Gareth Shaw is showing signs that’s he’s getting back to his best.

Gareth Shaw and Ruaidhri McGee continued their run of form as Denmark’s Jeff Winther made a flying start to the KPMG Trophy in Belgium.

With two Challenge Tour events to come on Irish soil — August’s Northern Ireland Open at Galgorm Castle and the re-establish “Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Golf Club” in October — Moyola Park’s Chris Selfridge believes he will have chances to win his way on to the European Tour.

"I believe I am ready." That was Chris Selfridge and his feelings about winning in one of his first few starts playing on Challenge Tour invitations. Fast forward just over six weeks and he has a chance to win on Sunday for the second week running in his his second start as a professional.