golf Archives - SportsNewsIreland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/tag/golf Sports News, Live GAA scores, GAA fixtures Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:29:42 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/www.sportsnewsireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sni-icon.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 golf Archives - SportsNewsIreland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/tag/golf 32 32 229439223 Video – Joe Highsmith Charges to Victory at Cognizant Classic https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/video-joe-highsmith-charges-to-victory-at-cognizant-classic https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/video-joe-highsmith-charges-to-victory-at-cognizant-classic#respond Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:29:42 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=33243 Joe Highsmith Charges to Victory at Cognizant Classic with Record-Breaking Finish Historic Win Secures Masters Invitation 24 year old Joe Highsmith, made the cut on the number at the Cognizant Classic, then shot back to back 64s to take home the trophy, a 2 year PGA Tour exemption, an invite to The Masters and more […]

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Joe Highsmith Charges to Victory at Cognizant Classic with Record-Breaking Finish

Historic Win Secures Masters Invitation

Joe Highsmith delivered a stunning final round at the Cognizant Classic, carding a 7-under 64 to overturn a four-shot deficit and claim his maiden PGA Tour victory in dramatic fashion.

His 64-64 weekend set a tournament record for the lowest closing 36-hole score since the event moved to PGA National in 2007. The two-shot win not only cements his breakthrough on the PGA Tour but also earns him a coveted place at the Masters, along with entry into the remaining five signature events of the season.

Highsmith’s triumph was all the more remarkable given the pressure he faced just to make the cut. A crucial par putt on Friday kept him in the tournament, and he never looked back.

Knapp’s Collapse Opens the Door

Overnight leader Jake Knapp, who made history with an opening-round 59, saw his hopes of a wire-to-wire victory unravel on the back nine.

Leading by one on the 11th, Knapp found the water, took two shots to escape, and walked away with a devastating triple bogey. The setback saw him tumble down the leaderboard, eventually settling for a tie for sixth.

Junior Bridgeman (64) and J.J. Spaun (68) finished as joint runners-up, while Ireland’s Shane Lowry closed with a 67 to secure a tie for 11th.

Lydia Ko Dominates in Singapore for 23rd LPGA Title

Fast Start Seals HSBC Women’s World Championship

Lydia Ko showcased her class with a flawless final round to capture her first HSBC Women’s World Championship title in Singapore.

The New Zealander, playing in the tournament for the 11th time, began the day with a one-shot lead and wasted no time in extending it, reeling off three consecutive birdies from the sixth hole to take control.

A composed 3-under 69 saw her finish four shots clear of Jeeno Thitikul (70) and Ayaka Furue (68), marking her 23rd career LPGA victory.

Hull’s Challenge Fades

Charley Hull, who started just one shot behind Ko, saw her chances slip away with a disappointing 74, finishing in a tie for fourth alongside Im Jin Hee, who posted the best round of the day with a 67, and Gaby Lopez (70).

Ko’s victory adds to an already glittering career that includes an Olympic gold medal and LPGA Hall of Fame status, reaffirming her place among the game’s elite.

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Conor Purcell wins maiden Challenge Tour title at Galgorm https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/conor-purcell-wins-maiden-challenge-tour-title-at-galgorm https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/conor-purcell-wins-maiden-challenge-tour-title-at-galgorm#respond Sun, 28 Jul 2024 21:14:12 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=32090 Conor Purcell held his nerve to claim a maiden Challenge Tour title in the Black Desert NI Open presented by Tom McKibbin at Galgorm, County Antrim, on Sunday. The Irish golfer signed for a one over par final round of 71 to finish 13 under par for the tournament, one stroke clear of overnight leader […]

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Conor Purcell held his nerve to claim a maiden Challenge Tour title in the Black Desert NI Open presented by Tom McKibbin at Galgorm, County Antrim, on Sunday.

The Irish golfer signed for a one over par final round of 71 to finish 13 under par for the tournament, one stroke clear of overnight leader Joakim Lagergren on a dramatic final day.

The 27-year-old climbs to fourth in the season-long Road to Mallorca Rankings with a win and was delighted to come out on top after going shot-for-shot with Lagergren across the entirety of the weekend.

“I’m over the moon and kind of lost for words,” he said. “I’ve waited a long time for this and for it to happen, with all my family out here today, is just amazing.

“The support out there calmed me down. Knowing that they were all there to support me made a difference.

“Joakim is a fierce competitor and a proven winner, and he’s won here before, so I knew not to take him lightly. I’m just pleased because I putted terribly today but I managed to get the job done.”

Purcell started the day one stoke behind Lagergren, but after mixing two birdies with five bogeys on the front nine, made the turn searching for a spark to kick-start his round.

An eagle on the par five tenth did just that, with Purcell joining Lagergren at the top of the leaderboard, before a dropped shot at hole 13 saw him one adrift with five holes to play.

Purcell then birdied the 15th, and when Lagergren bogeyed the same hole, a two-shot swing saw Purcell move into the solo lead for the first time on the final day, before he parred his way home for a memorable victory.

“On 18, it was the calmest I felt all day”

“I knew it was going to be tough but that there were chances on the back nine,” he added. “It was a big momentum swing when I held the putt on the tenth for eagle.

“I missed a chance on 14 to get back level, but made a nice birdie to go one ahead on 15 and then played really good golf coming in.

“On 18, it was the calmest I felt all day. After a few loose shots at the start of the day, I got into the flow of things and felt very in control and knew the job I had to do.

“Every time you can have a win, you can shoot up the Rankings, but there’s still a lot of golf to play over the rest of the year.”

Englishman Jack Senior posted a three under par round of 67 to finish in third, with Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist two shots further back in fourth. Dane Hamish Brown and South African Robin Williams finished in a share of fifth on eight under par.

Purcell now fourth in Road to Mallorca rankings

Purcell climbs 20 places to fourth in the Road to Mallorca Rankings on 683 points, while Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen remains in pole position on 1,061 points. Englishman John Parry sits second on 1,007, and Spaniard Joel Moscatel remains in third place on 870 points.

The Road to Mallorca continues next week with the Irish Challenge taking place at The K Club in Co Kildare from August 1-4.

Select scores after round four with Irish players in bold:

267 C PURCELL 66 65 65 71,
268 J LAGERGREN (SWE) 63 71 61 73,
269 J SENIOR (ENG) 67 69 66 67,
271 R SCIOT-SIEGRIST (FRA) 65 71 65 70,
272 R WILLIAMS (RSA) 69 69 67 67, H BROWN (DEN) 69 68 66 69,
273 L BJERREGAARD (DEN) 68 68 70 67, A QUIROS (ESP) 68 69 67 69, P PINEAU (FRA) 69 66 67 71,
274 R MCGOWAN (ENG) 68 72 67 67, A HALVORSEN (NOR) 72 69 66 67,
275 J FREIBURGHAUS (SUI) 72 69 68 66, O GUILLAMOUNDEGUY (FRA) 67 69 72 67, A CHESTERS (ENG) 68 72 66 69, W BESSELING (NED) 70 64 71 70, T HUNT (WAL) 67 69 68 71,
276 M LINDBERG (SWE) 68 72 71 65, M GIBOUDOT (FRA) 73 68 67 68, L VAN MEIJEL (NED) 71 70 66 69,

281 G HURLEY (IRL) 67 70 69 75,
282 J CALDWELL 70 71 71 70,

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Conor Purcell leads by three shots at Galgorm https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/conor-purcell-leads-by-three-shots-at-galgorm https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/conor-purcell-leads-by-three-shots-at-galgorm#respond Sat, 27 Jul 2024 11:58:31 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=32071 Conor Purcell takes a three-shot advantage into the weekend of the Black Desert NI Open presented by Tom McKibbin, after impressing for the second straight day at Galgorm. The Irishman fired a bogey-free five under par round of 65 in testing conditions to reach nine under par for the week. He is three clear of […]

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Conor Purcell takes a three-shot advantage into the weekend of the Black Desert NI Open presented by Tom McKibbin, after impressing for the second straight day at Galgorm.

The Irishman fired a bogey-free five under par round of 65 in testing conditions to reach nine under par for the week. He is three clear of Dane Jeppe Kristian Andersen, Swede Joakim Lagergren and Wil Besseling from the Netherland’s who share second.

The 27-year-old will go into the weekend in a commanding position, with his accuracy off the tee rewarded as wind and rain hit Co Antrim.

“I’m very pleased,” he said. “Any time you can go bogey-free it’s very nice, and especially round here. It’s quite demanding, so I did a good job.

“Me and my caddie did a great job. There were a lot of tricky wind conditions, a lot of crosswinds, but we were hitting good shots.

“I kept myself in position off the tee, and I think it didn’t feel as difficult as it probably should’ve because of that.”

Road to Mallorca

Purcell has enjoyed a strong first half of the Road to Mallorca season, recording three top ten finishes in 13 starts to sit 24th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings.

With the top 20 earning promotion to the DP World Tour at the end of the year, Purcell is pleased to be in contention once more as he targets an elusive first Challenge Tour title.

“Any time you’re up there, it gives you that extra motivation to keep it going for four days,” he added. “I’ve been playing nicely this year so hopefully there’s more of the same tomorrow.

“After missing the cut last week I made sure to tell myself my game wasn’t too far away. It felt very close and it’s just about piecing it together for four rounds.

“I know golf is well supported up here, and I love playing in front of people, so I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Select scores after round two [Irish players in bold]:

131 C PURCELL 66 65,
134 J LAGERGREN (SWE) 63 71, J ANDERSEN (DEN) 65 69, W BESSELING (NED) 70 64,
135 P PINEAU (FRA) 69 66,
136 R SCIOT-SIEGRIST (FRA) 65 71, O GUILLAMOUNDEGUY (FRA) 67 69, J SENIOR (ENG) 67 69, L BJERREGAARD (DEN) 68 68, P L?NGFORS (SWE) 65 71, T HUNT (WAL) 67 69,
137 J THOMSON (ENG) 67 70, A QUIROS (ESP) 68 69, R KARLBERG (SWE) 67 70, H BROWN (DEN) 69 68, G HURLEY 67 70, S MAZZOLI (ITA) 67 70,
143 S THORNTON 72 71
144 J MURPHY 75 69
146 D MCELROY 73 73
147 M POWER 77 70
148 R MULLARNEY 75 73, A MAGUIRE 73 75
151 D MULLIGAN 70 81
C O’ROURKE 79 WD

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Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda confirmed for first LPGA Tour major of 2023 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/lydia-ko-and-nelly-korda-confirmed-for-first-lpga-tour-major-of-2023 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/lydia-ko-and-nelly-korda-confirmed-for-first-lpga-tour-major-of-2023#respond Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:41:41 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=25887 World No. 1 Lydia Ko and world No. 2 Nelly Korda will head the field for the opening LPGA Tour major of the season at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Greater Houston area on April 20-23. The 2016 Champion Ko, who returned to the top of the Rolex Rankings following a stunning […]

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World No. 1 Lydia Ko and world No. 2 Nelly Korda will head the field for the opening LPGA Tour major of the season at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Greater Houston area on April 20-23.

The 2016 Champion Ko, who returned to the top of the Rolex Rankings following a stunning victory at the season-ending 2022 CME Group Tour Championship in November, is looking forward to her first visit to Carlton Woods and kicking off her major season:

“The build-up to The Chevron Championship is always unique as it’s the first major of our season and eight long months since we last had the chance to compete for a major title. After The Chevron Championship, the season is pretty packed and the majors seem to come thick and fast so, being the first one makes it a huge focus for us all. I am really looking forward to getting my first look at Carlton Woods and to seeing everything that Chevron has put in place for the new era of this historic major Championship.”

An eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Korda, who missed last year’s Championship due to injury, is eagerly anticipating her return:

“Missing out last year was so tough so I am definitely excited to be playing this year. I am really looking forward to this season and the first major in April at The Chevron Championship and, hopefully, a really strong major season. I am excited to get to The Woodlands and see the course at Carlton Woods.”

Other early confirmations include defending Champion Jennifer Kupcho, 2021 Champion Patty Tavatanakit, 2020 Champion Mirim Lee, 2019 Champion Jin Young Ko and 2011 Champion Stacy Lewis with the world’s best players eager to claim the first victory over the renowned Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at the opening Major of their season.

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Top Golf courses to play in Galway, Ireland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/top-golf-courses-to-play-in-galway-ireland https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/top-golf-courses-to-play-in-galway-ireland#respond Wed, 04 Jan 2023 23:09:27 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=25439 Galway, located on the west coast of Ireland, is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich history. The area is also a popular destination for golfers, with a variety of excellent courses to choose from. One of the most popular golf courses in Galway is the Galway Bay Golf Resort. Located just outside the city […]

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Galway, located on the west coast of Ireland, is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich history. The area is also a popular destination for golfers, with a variety of excellent courses to choose from.

One of the most popular golf courses in Galway is the Galway Bay Golf Resort. Located just outside the city of Galway, this course offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. The course is set along the coast and features beautiful views of Galway Bay and the surrounding countryside. It also offers a great opportunity for golfers to enjoy the scenery and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

Another notable course in the area is the Moyvalley Golf Club, a championship course designed by Christy O’Connor Jr. and Peter McEvoy. This course is known for its challenging layout and fast greens, and it has hosted many major tournaments and events throughout the years. It is also considered one of the most challenging course in the area.

The Connemara Championship Golf Links, is another excellent course to consider. It is set in a rugged and beautiful landscape with the Atlantic ocean to one side, which gives it a unique feeling for golfer. The course is also challenging due to the elements, as the wind and rain can be a factor when playing.

In addition to these courses, there are also many other excellent golf courses throughout Galway, such as the Galway Golf Club and Bearna Golf Club. All of them offer different types of golfing experiences, and many of them have hosted major tournaments throughout the years.

Overall, Galway is an excellent destination for golfers, offering a wide range of challenging and beautiful courses, as well as the opportunity to experience the rich culture and natural beauty of the area. With excellent facilities, a warm welcome and great value, a golfing vacation in Galway is an experience that you’ll never forget.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

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Ruaidhrí McGee shoots opening round of -9 on Challenge Tour https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/ruaidhri-mcgee-shoots-opening-round-of-9-on-challenge-tour https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/ruaidhri-mcgee-shoots-opening-round-of-9-on-challenge-tour#respond Fri, 24 Jun 2022 09:55:29 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=24808 Ireland’s Ruaidhrí McGee will take a three-stroke lead into day two of the Blot Open de Bretagne. He posting an impressive nine under par opening round of 61 at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André on Thursday. The Irish golfer carded two eagles, seven birdies and two bogeys to move three shots clear of […]

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Ireland’s Ruaidhrí McGee will take a three-stroke lead into day two of the Blot Open de Bretagne. He posting an impressive nine under par opening round of 61 at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André on Thursday.

The Irish golfer carded two eagles, seven birdies and two bogeys to move three shots clear of South African Bryce Easton, Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist, Spaniard Borja Virto and Germany’s Alexander Knappe, who share second place on six under par.

McGee decided to take a break from competitive golf after the Covid-19 pandemic and made his first appearance on the European Challenge Tour for almost two years at the Empordà Challenge earlier this month, where he recorded a top 20 finish.

Now based in Florida

The 31-year-old recently moved to Florida in the United States and although he hasn’t been playing golf competitively, he has still found the time to fine tune his skills on the course.

“I’m delighted with my round today,” he said. “I haven’t been playing competitively for a couple of years now and this is only my second Challenge Tour event of the season.

“Due to Covid I decided to take a break from the professional game and went to live out in the United States and that’s where I’ve been for the last year and a half. I wasn’t able to travel into Europe but it’s nice to be back.

“I’ve probably played more golf being in Florida than I would have back at home. I’ve been playing every day and sometimes getting in 36 holes which has helped.”

Two eagles in first eight holes

McGee was delighted to make two eagles in his first eight holes in Brittany and believes the links-style course, where accuracy off the tee is paramount, is well suited to his game.

“It was a great feeling to get two eagles,” he said. “The 11th hole was a short par five and I made the most of it. On the 17th I holed out from the fairway with a wedge which was a nice surprise.

“I like the course because you have to hit it straight and that suits my game. You need to be pretty accurate with your approach shots and then you can make birdies.”

Englishman Alfie Plant, Frenchman Alexandre Daydou and Finland’s Matias Honkala share sixth place on five under par. Five players share ninth on four under, including Germany’s Freddy Schott and Englishman Ben Evans.

Ruaidhrí McGee will tee off alongside Englishman Todd Clements and home favourite Adrien Saddier at 2:00pm today.

Scores after round one:

 61 R MCGEE (IRL),
64 R SCIOT-SIEGRIST (FRA), B VIRTO (ESP), B EASTON (RSA), A KNAPPE (GER),
65 A PLANT (ENG), A DAYDOU (FRA), M HONKALA (FIN),
66 V RIU (FRA), S PETERSEN (SWE), B EVANS (ENG), F SCHOTT (GER), J THOMPSON (AUS),
67 I CANTERO GUTIERREZ (ESP), D YOUNG (SCO), R DAWSON (IRL), A SADDIER (FRA), F PALSON (SWE), D DIXON (ENG), Z BAI (CHN), J PRINSLOO (RSA),
68 A ZEMMER (ITA), M LINDBERG (SWE), N REGNER (AUT), J THOMSON (ENG), J QUESNE (FRA), L JERLING (RSA), M ELVIRA (ESP), J SCHAPER (RSA), D FOOS (GER), A GRENIER (FRA), R DINWIDDIE (ENG), M ORRIN (ENG), J MCDONALD (SCO),
69 M LECHNER (AUT), U MALCOR (AM) (FRA), U COUSSAUD (FRA), P MARGOLIS (FRA), S TILEY (ENG), E DI NITTO (ITA), W ENEFER (ENG), C BOUNIOL (FRA), V LOPES (POR), A BARBE (AM) (FRA), A BJORNSSON (ISL), M BULLEN (ENG), G KRISTJANSSON (ISL), J SAINZ (ESP), S GROS (FRA), G BOYD (ENG),
70 G BRIXI (CZE), K ULENAERS (BEL), J FAHRBRING (SWE), J LANDO CASANOVA (FRA), R WATTEL (FRA), D MCELROY (NIR), L ROBINSON (ENG), D BOOTE (WAL), G STAL (FRA), S MANLEY (WAL), X PONCELET (FRA), D BORDA (ESP), P BAEK (DEN), T ELISSALDE (FRA), S GANDON (FRA), D GERMISHUYS (RSA), T STRYDOM (RSA), T CLEMENTS (ENG), B RITTHAMMER (GER), J ARNOY (NOR), J RUTHERFORD (ENG), P MOOLMAN (RSA), T GANDY (IMN),
71 J KENNEGARD (SWE), C MIVIS (BEL), J GARCIA (ESP), R EVANS (ENG), M MANASSERO (ITA), F MORY (FRA), P FOULQUIE (FRA), M MOHR (ENG), P MCBRIDE (IRL), G MOYNIHAN (IRL), H ELLIS (ENG), H TISSERAND (FRA), G KING (ENG), M GRADECKI (POL), S GREGORY (ENG), D BROWN (ENG), M RADUREAU (FRA), E BERTHEUSSEN (NOR), M DANIELSSON (FRA),
72 P EDBERG (SWE), J ADARRAGA GOMEZ (ESP), G BOURDY (FRA), S FERNANDEZ (ESP), P FIGUEIREDO (POR), E CATHERINE (FRA), B NEIL (SCO), N LEGENDRE (AM) (FRA), C ROSS (SCO), T MCKIBBIN (NIR), J PARRY (ENG),
73 J LONG (ENG), C VERROUGSTRAETE (FRA), S HENRY (SCO), D PERRIER (FRA), J DICK (ENG),
74 M WIEGELE (AUT), E CUARTERO BLANCO (ESP), F BERGAMASCHI (ITA), E ESPA?A (FRA), T SLOMAN (ENG), M DECOTTIGNIES-LAFON (FRA), S DEL VAL (ESP), P ELISSALDE (FRA), R SANJUST (ITA), A ESMATGES (ESP), P BEAUVY (AM) (FRA), B BAUMGARTEN (USA), T SANTA (FRA), A ARIZABALETA (COL),
75 A DEL REY (ESP), B RUSCH (SUI), V BJ?RL?W (DEN), D RAVETTO (FRA), R VALLAEYS (FRA),
76 C SAHLSTROM (SWE), H LEGEAY-GAUCHER (FRA), M GASPAR (POR), P ROLLAND (FRA), S KRAAI (NED), A VELASCO (ESP), D DARNAUD (FRA), C POLETTI (FRA), L RUUSKA (FIN),
77 J MURPHY (IRL), J KO (FRA), L WEBER (FRA), D GUICHARD (FRA), R LESTER (IRL), K KOIVU (FIN), A BACHELIER (AM) (FRA),
78 C HEBERT (FRA), C BERARDO (FRA), B KEDOCHIM (FRA), C CANNON (ENG),
79 M WAITE (ENG), P LESCASTREYRES (FRA), J VECCHI FOSSA (ITA),
80 J PINTO BASTO (POR),
81 V JOFFRAY (FRA),
84 R FABRE (FRA),
86 R LE BOT (FRA).

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Pádraig Harrington to make Senior Open debut at Gleneagles https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/padraig-harrington-to-make-senior-open-debut-at-gleneagles https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/news/padraig-harrington-to-make-senior-open-debut-at-gleneagles#respond Sun, 19 Jun 2022 12:37:34 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=24751 Pádraig Harrington will make his debut at The Senior Open when he joins a host of fellow Open Champions at Gleneagles from July 21-24. The two-time winner of The Open will make his Senior Open bow in Scotland alongside fellow double Open Champion Ernie Els, as well as Darren Clarke, Tom Lehman and Sandy Lyle, […]

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Pádraig Harrington will make his debut at The Senior Open when he joins a host of fellow Open Champions at Gleneagles from July 21-24.

The two-time winner of The Open will make his Senior Open bow in Scotland alongside fellow double Open Champion Ernie Els, as well as Darren Clarke, Tom Lehman and Sandy Lyle, who have all lifted the Claret Jug.

The Senior Open will visit Gleneagles for the first time in 2022 as the 2014 Ryder Cup venue welcomes the stars of the over-50s game for Europe’s only Senior Major Championship.

Harrington, and his fellow Open Champions, will bid to become only the fourth player in golf history to lift both the Claret Jug and the Senior Open trophy when he tees it up in Gleneagles in July. Only Bob Charles, Gary Player and Tom Watson have achieved the feat to this day.

The Dubliner, who turned 50 last year, has 32 professional victories to his name, including back-to-back Open Championships in 2007 and 2008, forming part of a stunning run of form which included the US PGA Championship in August 2008.

“I am excited to be making my debut at The Senior Open and to be able to do so in Scotland is very special. I always love playing there and it holds precious memories for me as the country of my first Major Championship win.

“It will be a pleasure to be back at Gleneagles. It is a great venue and I have fond memories of being there as a Vice Captain at the 2014 Ryder Cup.”

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Viktor Hovland wins Dubai Desert Classic https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/golf/viktor-hovland-wins-dubai-desert-classic https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/golf/viktor-hovland-wins-dubai-desert-classic#respond Sun, 30 Jan 2022 22:26:10 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=23440 Viktor Hovland won his first Rolex Series title as he completed a sensational finish with a play-off victory over Richard Bland at the 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic. The Norwegian was barely in the picture when he missed a short putt and made a bogey on the 15th but he finished birdie-eagle-birdie to sign for […]

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Viktor Hovland won his first Rolex Series title as he completed a sensational finish with a play-off victory over Richard Bland at the 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

The Norwegian was barely in the picture when he missed a short putt and made a bogey on the 15th but he finished birdie-eagle-birdie to sign for a 66 and post the target at 12 under.

Bland joined him in the clubhouse with a birdie-birdie finish of his own in a 68, with two-time champion Rory McIlroy finding water on the last to fall out of the play-off.

Hovland made a two-putt birdie on the first trip back up the 18th and when Bland failed to get up and down after finding a tricky lie with his second, it was the 24-year-old who was left holding the Dallah trophy at Emirates Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy cards 71 on final day

Rory McIlroy signed for a 71 to finish at 11 under, three shots clear of South African pair Justin Harding and Erik van Rooyen, English duo Tyrrell Hatton and Sam Horsfield and Pole Adrian Meronk.

Hovland becomes the first Norwegian to win a Rolex Series event. He adds this title to his maiden DP World Tour victory at the 2021 BMW International Open.

“This is pretty wild,” admitted Hovland. “I didn’t really think this was possible going in today. I knew I had to shoot a really low number but a lot of things had to go my way and thankful that it did.

“I was fuming after the three-putt on 15 and thought that was it. I knew I just had to try to finish off well and get a nice position for the week. I rolled a really long one on 16, and then on 17, and hey, we got a shot.

“I’m pumping right now. It’s a little bit surreal, and it’s hard to kind of calm yourself a little bit but you’ve just got to rely on all the shots that you hit and just go back to what you know.”

Third win in five starts for Hovland

It is his third win in five starts after back-to-back victories in November and December at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba and Hero World Challenge, and could move him up to third in the Official World Golf Ranking.

“I have quite a lot to prove to be able to beat those guys (Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa in the Official World Golf Ranking) but this is a good start and we’ll see what happens.

“I try not to over emphasise the Majors and the big tournaments. Obviously, these are the ones we want to play well in, but you know, this is a really cool week, great field, good course. I try to just prepare myself the best that I can for every single week.”

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McIlroy wins CJ Cup in first start after Ryder Cup https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/golf/mcilroy-wins-cj-cup-in-first-start-after-ryder-cup https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/golf/mcilroy-wins-cj-cup-in-first-start-after-ryder-cup#respond Mon, 18 Oct 2021 08:42:05 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=21803 Rory McIlroy picked up his first trophy of this season’s PGA Tour and the second of the calendar year in his first tournament since the Ryder Cup when he won the CJ Cup on Sunday night. McIlroy sealed his 20th PGA Tour win, which granted him lifetime membership with a one-shot win over Collin Morikawa […]

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Rory McIlroy picked up his first trophy of this season’s PGA Tour and the second of the calendar year in his first tournament since the Ryder Cup when he won the CJ Cup on Sunday night.

McIlroy sealed his 20th PGA Tour win, which granted him lifetime membership with a one-shot win over Collin Morikawa after a strong final two days at The Summit Club in Las Vegas.

The Northern Irish golfer was nine shots off the lead heading into the weekend but a 10-under 62 on Saturday brought him into the race ahead of the final day and a score of 66 saw him beat out the challengers.

Rickie Fowler was the leader heading into Sunday and was paired with McIlroy for the day but missed several important putts and was eclipsed by McIlroy and Morikawa, tied with Keith Mitchell for third.

McIlroy built upon his Sunday form at the Ryder Cup where he won his singles match to salvage an otherwise poor tournament individually.

The competition veteran had lost all three of his matches in the first two days and the one point he scored was the lowest total he had managed at a single Ryder Cup.

“It was huge. It really was. I was really disappointed with how I played [at the Ryder Cup],” he said in his greenside interview with PGA Tour.

“There was a lot of reflection in the last couple of weeks. This is what I need to do. I need to play golf, I need to simplify it. I need to just be me. I think for the last few months I was maybe trying to be someone else to try and get better.

“I realised that being me is enough, and being me I can do things like this.”

The 32-year-old becomes the 39th player to win 20 events on the tour and has won the same amount of events on the calendar as Phil Mickelson did at his age, excluding majors.

It’s the fifth season in a row that the golfer from Down has won an event and the seventh time he has won at least twice in a calendar year.

McIlroy’s lifetime membership will begin after he completes 15 years as a Tour member – his first Tour was in 2010.

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Ryder Cup – Preview, Teams, Schedule. Odds, Where To Watch https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/golf/ryder-cup-preview-teams-odds-where-to-watch-2021 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/golf/ryder-cup-preview-teams-odds-where-to-watch-2021#respond Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:40:07 +0000 https://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=20977 The 2021 Ryder Cup tees off on Friday with the biennial competition between the Team USA and Team Europe set to take place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, America. The hosts will be aiming to win the Ryder Cup back after losing out to Europe in 2018 by seven points. Europe, on the other hand, […]

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The 2021 Ryder Cup tees off on Friday with the biennial competition between the Team USA and Team Europe set to take place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, America.

The hosts will be aiming to win the Ryder Cup back after losing out to Europe in 2018 by seven points.

Europe, on the other hand, have dominated proceedings since the turn of century with all but two instalments of the famous competition ending in their favour.

The first two days of the competition is played with four-ball and foursome matches with the home captain selecting the order.

In four-ball, each side has a two-man team in a given match and each competitor plays their own ball. Whichever golfer has the lowest score on a hole secures a point for their team.

In foursome, players on a two-man team take alternating shots. Whichever duo combines for the lowest score on a hole secures a point for their team.

The final round of competition is played in a singles format. Twelve singles matches will take place with each golfer facing a member of the opposing team head to head.

28 points are on offer for the two teams with 14.5 enough to secure a win but the holders only need 14.

Steve Stricker and Pádraig Harrington succeed Jim Furyk and Thomas Bjorn as captains of the two teams and the latter will be hoping to emulate Bjorn’s success.

Harrington and his vice-captains opted to bring Shane Lowry, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia to Whistling Straits alongside the automatic qualifiers.

Lowry will make his debut in the famous competition this weekend while Poulter and Garcia have history with it.

The pair have been top points scorers in the Ryder Cup three times each and bring their veteran experience to Team Europe.

Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood are other players who have had strong Ryder Cup campaigns in the past that are involved with the side once more.

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm has had a strong year and could be the key for this European side in their hunt for a second Ryder Cup in a row.

In the red corner, 2018 captain Furyk returns as one of Stricker’s vice-captains alongside Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Zach Johnson and Davis Love III.

Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau will have to put whatever differences they have aside for the benefit of the team.

Patrick Reed, who played a big role in recent campaigns for the Americans, is not on the team this year.

However, they have no shortage of world-class golfers with Justin Spieth, Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay looking to expand on strong years.

The USA have hinted at the use of a pod system over the week – the concept of the pod system groups four players together, who will then interchange pairings within that group throughout the first two days of the Ryder Cup.

Thomas, Spieth, DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler is a potential pod that Stricker could deploy after the quartet practiced together in midweek.

Harrington has chopped and changed the European practice groups, thus the intentions of Team Europe do not seem as clear.

Teams

Team USA: Daniel Berger, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson De Chambeau, Harris English, Tony Finau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas.

Captain: Steve Stricker

Vice-captains: Fred Couples, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson.

Team Europe: Paul Casey, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Tyrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Bernd Weisberger, Lee Westwood.

Captain: Pádraig Harrington

Vice-captains: Luke Donald, Robert Karlsson, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Henrik Stenson.

Schedule

(All times set to British Standard Time)

Friday – Foursomes

1:05 pm Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia (Europe) W v Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth (USA)

1:21 pm Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland (Europe) v W Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa (USA)

1:37 pm Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick (Europe) v W Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger (USA)

1:53 pm Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter (Europe) v W Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (USA)

Friday – Fourballs

6:10 pm Casey/Wiesberger (Europe) v DJ/Xander (USA)

6:26 pm Rahm/Hatton (Europe) v Bryson/Scheffler (USA)

6:42 pm Rory/Lowry (Europe) v Finau/English (USA)

6:58 pm Fleetwood/Hovland (Europe) v JT/Cantlay (USA)

Odds

Team USA 4/9

Tie 11/1 – Europe 9/5 to lift the trophy

Team Europe 5/2

Where To Watch

Sky Sports have the rights to the competition in Ireland and coverage will start at 1 pm on Friday and Saturday and 5 pm on Sunday.

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