Rory Returns in Shanghai

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Rory McIlroy is due back in action in China at the end of October, and will join the defending champion Peter Hanson of Sweden, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter and at the Lake Malaren Golf Club in Shanghai.

The BMW Masters has undoubtedly taken on even greater significance this year, as the tournament opens The European Tour’s ‘Final Series’, which consists of four events and concludes with the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – the finale of The Race to Dubai.

“This development really increases the value of the BMW Masters,” said Simon Leach, The European Tour’s representative in Asia. “The tournament is the first event in the Final Series of The Race to Dubai. Only those who have played at least two of the three preceding events can qualify for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai – and so challenge for The Race to Dubai title.”

Two stars who will do battle for the prestigious title in October are McIlroy and Westwood. 

“I’m really looking forward to returning to Shanghai,” said McIlroy, who narrowly lost out to winner Peter Hanson at Lake Malaren Golf Club last year. “I always try to do my best at every tournament, but the fact that the BMW Masters will open the Final Series in The Race to Dubai should give all of us an extra boost of motivation.” 

Westwood added: “The 2012 BMW Masters was an impressive tournament – the Chinese fans were very enthusiastic. I hope I can present them with a victory on the first stop of the Final Series in The Race to Dubai.”

Just as it did last year, the 2013 BMW Masters will spearhead BMW’s extensive commitment to golf in China. 

In close cooperation with the China Golf Association (CGA), 14 Chinese players will be given a ‘wildcard’ into the tournament. Among them will be the winners of the BMW Junior Open and the Chinese BMW Golf Cup International, who will be given the chance to compete against world-class players at the BMW Masters.

It will be McIlroy's first event since the announcement of the end of his agreement with the Dublin based management company, Horizon Sports.

Padraig Harrington. Shane Lowry and Paul McGinley are the other Irish entries

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McGinley Drops from Sjoholm Slipstream

A total of six bogeys saw Paul McGinley drop out of contention on Saturday at the BMW International Open in Cologne, carding the only birdie of the day on the first hole - to sign for a third round 77.

Joel Sjöholm was happy with a level par 72 that kept him firmly in the hunt for a maiden European Tour title at the BMW International Open.

The 27 year old from Sweden began the day two shots clear in Cologne, but four bogeys on the way out contributed to a front nine 38.

In danger of fading into the pack at that point, Sjöholm birdied the 13th and 15th before producing a wonderful flop shot from rough by the 18th to rescue par and finish the day 11 under par, one behind England’s Danny Willett.

“I really did not expect to feel a little bit of tension, because I've been leading tournaments before as an amateur but never as a pro, so I thought it would be the same, and it isn't really the same,” said Sjöholm.

“I held my nerves pretty well through the first five, six holes and then I got a little bit angry with my ball on the sixth, but that's me in general. It doesn't matter if I'm leading a tournament or not, it's just who I am. Today it feels good to actually walk off the course with an even par score when I was plus two. 

“I was in danger of a terrible finish, and instead I actually made two good pars out of nowhere. 

“So it feels good, and I'm real excited for tomorrow. It's going to be a really, really great day because I really love this place.”

Sjöholm is alongside England’s Chris Wood in second place, and the 24 year old is pleased to have the opportunity chase a leader in the final round after failing to convert a four shot third round lead in Mallorca last year – one of three runner-up finishes in Wood’s European Tour career.

“It's so easy to get ahead of yourself,” said Wood. “It's a bit of a test, but on a day like today, it probably helped because it was a day where you just had to be patient and it was tough conditions, and not so many birdies out there as there were on day one, so I was pleased.

“A shot behind is as good as I need to be really tomorrow. I'm not sleeping on the lead, and I feel really good.”

Damien McGrane signed for third round 73 for a -1 total in share of 46th place.

Simon Thornton was on +1 after a third round 74.,

McGinley Sets Pace at BMW

Paul McGinley continued exactly where he left off in Wales with a stunning finish to his opening round of 65 in the BMW International Open in Cologne yesterday.

The 2002 Ryder Cup hero eagled the 577-yard 16th from 30 feet and then almost holed his approach to the difficult 456-yard last – which he birdied.

“It turned a good day into a great day,” McGinley said. “In all my life I don’t think I’ve been on that 16th in two before – that’s new technology for you.”

McGinley is in joint second place with England’s Chris Wood and Danny Willett, who also eagled the 18th – one shot behind leaders Australian Marcus Fraser and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti, who both shot opening 64s.

Wood staged his own version of The Great Escape before his fine first round. Among a number of golfers stuck in traffic and worried they might miss their tee-off times, the 24-year-old from Bristol led a breakaway movement through the fields.

“We finally decided to leg it when we had gone one kilometre in 20 minutes – it was that bad,” Wood said. “It was about 3.5km and I was a bit sweaty when I got here, but it was worth it.”

The former England international, still seeking his maiden victory on the European Tour after three runner-up finishes, grabbed no fewer than nine birdies on the Gut Larchenhof course.

There were also two bogeys on his card, however, and with a seven-under-par tally he finished the day one behind Fraser and Zanotti. “It was the best I’ve putted all year,” added Wood, perhaps best known for his fifth place in the 2008 British Open when still an amateur and then his tie for third the following year at Turnberry.

Scoring was low following some heavy rain, but that did not help Paul Casey on his latest return from injury. Ten years on from scoring a career-low 62 on the same lay-out, Casey – who missed last week’s US Open to give his shoulder more rest – managed only a 76 to be down near the rear of the 156-strong field.

Fraser birdied five of his last six holes to set the early target, while Zanotti’s round was even more action-packed – two eagles, seven birdies, a bogey and a double bogey.

Colin Montgomerie, back from television commentary work in San Francisco, shot 69, but local favourite Martin Kaymer struggled with jet-lag and had to settle for a 71, the same as Sergio Garcia.

It was a disappointing day too for Paul Lawrie. He chose not to enter the US Open because he did not think it would help his bid for a return to the Ryder Cup after a 13-year gap, but he might well have to improve on his opening 72 just to survive the cut.

Fraser, chasing his third Tour win, said: “I missed only one fairway and managed to make a few putts – it was one of those days when everything went right.”

Michael Hoey was the next best Irishman on the day, one of a host of players on three-under par. 

Simon Thornton and Shane Lowry shot rounds of 71.

Damien McGrane finished with a 76.