Rebecca Coakley and Hazel Kavanagh at the European Nations Cup last week
Ireland’s Solheim Cup hopefuls can expect no preferential treatment from European captain Alison Nicholas when she chooses her four wildcards for the 2011 matches at Killeen Castle.
If an Irishwoman fails to make the side automatically, don’t hold your breath waiting for Nicholas to cowtow to home sentiment with a pity pick.
Tim Rice played his last seven holes in six under at Wensum Valley. His reward was just £345 (€400)
Paul O’Hanlon and Michael Collins made a strong start to the Europro Tour season when they shared fourth place behind Australian Daniel Gaunt in the Motocaddy Masters at Wensum Valley in Norfolk.
Colm Moriarty’s hard work is starting to pay off
Colm Moriarty has been making numerous journeys to the west coast of Scotland in recent months, spending time with legendary swing coach Bob Torrance in his hometown of Largs. It is now looking like those trips are beginning to pay off after the Athlone man fired a two-under par round of 70 on day one of the Challenge Tour’s Turkish Airlines Challenge.
Cavan twins Leona (left) and Lisa Maguire celebrate their call up to the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team with their mother Breda and the President of the ILGU, Anne Wallace after their victory in the 2010 Irish Schools Final at Milltown Golf Club yesterday (26/04/2010). Picture by Pat Cashman
Teen sensations Lisa and Leona Maguire and towering talent Danielle McVeigh can help Great Britain and Ireland end 14 years of Curtis Cup agony.
That’s the view of skipper Mary McKenna, who named the Irish trio in her eight-strong side to face the United States at Essex County Club in Massachusetts from June 11 to 13.
Never mind the professionals, Ireland’s amateur ladies have the game to take on all comers.
Just 24 hours before she is named in the Curtis Cup side alongside the brilliant Cavan twins Lisa and Leona Maguire, Danielle McVeigh overcame a bout of suspected food poisoning to win the 54-hole Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at Troon.
Tiger Woods at Adare Manor in 2005
Tiger Woods looks set to keep his promise and tee it up for charity in July’s JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am.
At least that’s the view of billionaire organiser McManus, who hopes to raise millions for good causes when a stellar field turns up at Adare Manor from July 5-6.
The use of the expression “Functional Training” has gained a lot of attention over the last number of years. Athletes across all sports have been seeking out new methods and approaches to training in the hope it will improve performance.
During the course of this, they have talked about making their training more ‘functional’. But do they know what this really means and is it another fad in the strength and conditioning industry?
As the volcanic ash cloud continues to cause havoc with the world’s air travel, Ireland’s team for this week’s Comunitat Valenciana European Cup have been forced into some extraordinary travel arrangements in order to ensure they are in Alicante for Thursday’s opening day.
Changed utterly - the 18th green on the West Course at Wentworth
Padraig Harrington is hoping that new greens at Wentworth will boost his hopes of ending Ireland’s 52-year wait for a victory in the British PGA.
The triple major winner will get a sneak preview of Ernie Els’ radically revamped West Course when he tees it up there on Tuesday in a company day for club sponsors Wilson.
What a week. What a winner. What a performance.
Phil Mickelson became the Masters champion for the third time when he holed an ten foot birdie putt on the final green to win his fourth major title and fell into a tearful embrace with his wife Amy, who is battling breast cancer.
From the greens of Augusta to the green of the Emerald Isle and on to golfing glory? Why not?
Italy’s Matteo Manassero will make his professional debut in the BMW Italian Open in Turin in three weeks’ time and it appears certain that the 16-year old Italian superstar will be invited by the European Tour to take part in the 3 Irish Open at Killarney from July 29 to August 1.
Twelve months ago Rory McIlroy’s coach floated among the Georgia pines without a care in the world and watched his young pupil paint the blank canvas that Augusta National had presented him on his Masters debut with brushstrokes of genius.
This week, things were very different. Michael Bannon beetled along the rope lines, looking back frequently to see where McIlroy’s tee shot had landed, his face creased with concern at times. There were few smiles as he peered through his binoculars at the player he’s guided since he was a four year old.
Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy in happier times
One was devastated and looking for time off to mend his shattered confidence and recover his love for the game. The other was simply marking a disappointing Masters performance down to experience and wishing he had another tournament to play next week.
