Chris Devlin during last year’s Irish Open at Royal Portrush. Picture via www.chrisdevlingolf.comIt took him nearly three days to get there but Ballymena’s Chris Devlin is certainly taking advantage of his first appearance of the Challenge Tour season in the Canaries.
Richard O’Donovan at Royal Dublin last month. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieRichard O’Donovan is hoping to put four solid rounds together and give his Walker Cup hopes a boost after an opening 68 left him just two shots behind England’s Nathan Kimsey in the Scottish Amateur Open Strokeplay at Southerness.
Rory McIlroy is suffering on the course. “I’m trying not to let it get to me.” Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie.This time it’s definitely more mental than dental. Rory McIlroy is lost on the golf course and almost certainly off it.
Michael Quirke. pictured at Carton House during the 2010 Irish Senior Open on the European Senior Tour, made a fine start to the Irish Seniors Amateur Open at Malone. Doneraile’s Michael Quirke defied a swirling breeze and took advantage of glorious sunshine to open with a spectacular one-under 70 and lead the Irish Seniors Amateur Open Championship by three shots at Malone Golf Club.
Representatives of the Irish Open Three Towns Initiative at Carton House, with (l-r) Tony Lenehan, Failte Ireland’s Head of Golf Tourism, James Finnigan, Commercial Director of the Irish Open, Antonia Beggs, Irish Open Championship Director, Conor Mallaghan, Managing Partner of Carton House, and Peter Minnock, Director of Services Kildare County Council. Credit Eoin Clarke/golffilePeople power, government cash and Ireland’s quartet of major champions will continue to fuel the Irish Open.
Pádraig Harrington in action at Castle Stuart. Picture by Getty ImagesPádraig Harrington might be battling to find some form - he’s 28 over for his last 12 rounds - but he’s got his major build up organised with appearances set up before the US Open and The Open.
Shane Lowry made an early dash for the airport when he opted to retire after just one round of the US Open International Section Qualifier at Walton Heath. Picture at Wentworth last weekend by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieShane Lowry needs a big week at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio this week to qualify for the US Open after opting to retire after an opening 75 in the International Sectional Qualifier at Walton Heath.
Shane Lowry missed out on the top three finish he needed at Wentworth to qualify automatically for the US Open. Picture www.golffile.ieShane Lowry’s bitter disappointment that he must tee it up in Sectional Qualifying for the US Open today is a clear indication of his ambition and growth as a players.
Meghan MacLaren (England) with the 2013 Irish Open Strokeplay Championship trophy after her victory at Castle. Picture by Pat CashmanLisburn’s Paula Grant produced a stunning final round charge but came up one short as England’s Meghan MacLaren claimed the Irish Women’s Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship at Castle.
Shane Lowry drives on the 15th in the third round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Picture: Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieShane Lowry could leap from 79th to 34th with victory in the BMW PGA Championship but while the Offaly man is more than capable, enjoying his golf and feeding off the atmosphere could be key at Wentworth on Sunday.
Meghan Maclaren shot a one under 71 to lead after the first round of the Irish Women’s Amateur Open at Castle.Irish Intervarsity champion Paula Grant is the nearest home challenger to England’s Meghan MacLaren entering the final round of the Irish Women’s Amateur Open Strokeplay at Castle.
Gareth Shaw’s third round 65 has left put in the mix at Royal Waterloo. Gareth Shaw will be hoping his recent experience will stand after a sensational tird round 65 left him just a shot off the pace heading into the final round of the Telenet Trophy at Royal Waterloo in Belgium.
Shane Lowry plays to the sixth in the second round of the BMW PGA at Wentworth. Picture: Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy - cut. Luke Donald - cut. Graeme McDowell - cut. It might be bad news for the European Tour’s wintry BMW PGA Championship that three of the four members of the world’s top 10 to make the trip to the stockbroker belt suffered a Black Friday, but it’s good news for Shane Lowry.
