Golf, by TourMiss

Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin made a mockery of the difficult conditions to be the only player not to drop a shot in posting a five under par 67 on the first day of the $US 4m elite 36-player field Volvo Champions event. The 39-year old Lyon golfer returned from a lengthy six week absence to finish the first day of his first event of 2014 a shot clear of defending champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa. “This a great happy New Year start for me to shoot five under as I had a very long break ...

Cork’s Fota Island course will host the 2014 Irish Open. The news, which is not unexpected, is set to be officially confirmed on Monday by the European Tour. The 19th to 22nd June tournament will see the European Tour event returning to the Cork club for the first time since Soren Hansen’s victory in 2002 and a first major international event since the Cobh club staged the 2007 Irish Seniors Open won by former Irish Open winner Sam Torrance. Carton House, the 2013 venue, had been tipped ...

Victorious 2012 European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal has singled out Rory McIlroy as pivotal in Europe’s bid to retain the Ryder Cup in September at Gleneagles. Olazabal spear-headed the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ when his European side came from behind to deny the Davis Love 111 led Americans. And while McIlroy had somewhat of a disappointing 2013, and eased in part from his stunning Australian Open win over Masters champion Adam Sctott, the 24-year old has leaped into 2014 ...

Holywood-born Rory McIlroy continues his brush with Hollywood stardom on this occasion meeting with blockbuster actor, Will Smith. McIlroy has returned to Dubai to work on his game ahead of commencing his 2014 season at next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Smith is holidaying in the United Arab Emirates with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. “Met the fresh prince aka Will Smith today at the golf course,” Rory said on his Twitter page. “Great guy and a good golf swing!” Smith ...

Ultra-talented Tour rookie Chesson Hadley has become International Sports Management’s (ISM) first American-born client to be competing full-time on the PGA Tour. The 26-year-old, three-time All-American Georgia Tech graduate considered his options for more than six months before signing with ISM. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to let ISM help and guide my immediate future as a professional golfer,” said Hadley, whose glittering amateur career was highlighted by inclusion in America’s ...

A very happy 38th birthday to Tiger Woods – born this day December 30th, 1975.

Reigning Australian Open champion Rory McIlroy has returned to Australia without his golf clubs and in this occasion accompanying his girlfriend, Caroline. The Danish tennis ace is competing in the Brisbane International and the first two tournaments ‘Down Under’ ahead of next month’s Australian Open in Melbourne. And unlike the fuss created by her arrival in the Queensland capital a year ago, Wozniacki was not sporting any engagement ring. As well, McIlroy arrived without his ...