Golf, by TourMiss

Double Major winning Rory McIlroy paid a price for his missing clubs, jet lag and some wayward drives on the opening day of the Irish Open. The highest world ranked player in the field signed for a three over par 74 that included just three birdies but also double the number of bogeys to be trailing 10 shots behind ‘Flying Finn’ Mikko Illonen. The 34-year old Illonen birdied five of his closing seven holes to set a new course record of a seven under par 64 and 10 shots fewer than McIlroy. McIlroy ...

Finland’s Mikko Ilonen ignored the script to easily outshine his more-fancied local rivals on the opening day of the Irish Open. Illonen, 34 celebrated his 300th European Tour event setting a new course record of a seven-under par 64 in superb scoring conditions on the Fota Island course in Cork. The ‘Flying Finn’ birdied five of his closing seven holes to set a new course after major changes to the course since the staging of the 2002 Irish Open. Illonen headed to lunch leading by ...

An amateur London golfer endured a grueling test of stamina and patience as he completed 18 holes in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – travelling 1,200 miles in less than 18 hours on Tuesday (June 17) to raise money for Sparks, the Children’s Medical Research Charity. Despite weather-enforced delays, Roger Southam, Chief Executive and Chairman of property management firm Chainbow (see photograph below), completed the ‘Sparks Golf Challenge,’ sponsored by Royal & Awesome, ...

Defending Irish Open champion Paul Casey admits he could be struggling to conform to a new European Tour rule he in fact voted on late last year. Casey’s a member of the Tournament Players Committee that passed a ruling last year whereby European Tour members must compete in their ‘home’ event as one of the 13 mandatory events needed to be played to retain full Tour membership. The England-born Casey’s home event is the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth but he was forced to miss the tournament ...

Ryder Cup winning hero Graeme McDowell has backed suggestions the biannual showdown between Europe and the USA could one day be staged in Dubai. With the 2020 Ryder Cup headed for France future venues remain up for grabs with Turkey already expressing interest in hosting the golf world’s biggest team showcase. Last January the Omega Dubai Desert Classic celebrated its 25th anniversary while next year the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will herald the 10th staging of the event in the UAE capital. Also ...

Exciting England-born Matt Fitzpatrick and Dubai have forged an exciting, new relationship which embraces their joint personalities – young, dynamic and going places. Fitzpatrick, the first player since the legendary Bobby Jones more than 80 years ago to win top amateur honours at both the Open and US Open championships, has teamed up with golf in DUBAi, ground-breaking promoters of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Mohamed Buamaim, Vice Chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, hailed the partnership as ...

Tiger Woods is back practicing after recent back surgery boosting hopes he will compete in the defence of his Hoylake Open Championship next month. Woods entry has been confirmed by the R & A and with the 38-year old seen practicing on the driving range at the Medallist Club and close to his residence in Jupiter, Florida. The sight of Woods on the range boosts hopes of the 14-time Major winner competing in golf’s oldest Major after having to sit out this year’s Masters and last week’s ...