Rookies Will Shape Clarke Wildcards

Europe’s team to defend the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine in September will contain at least five rookies after the nine automatic qualifiers were decided with a week to spare.

Thomas Pieters needed to defend his Czech Masters title and Shane Lowry required a top-four finish in the Wyndham Championship to keep their hopes alive heading into the final qualifying event in Denmark.

However, Pieters lost out by a single shot to the American Paul Peterson on Sunday and Lowry was certain to finish down the field in North Carolina after a closing 67.

And that means Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Chris Wood, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick are guaranteed to be on the plane to Minnesota in search of an unprecedented fourth successive win in the biennial event.

Willett, Wood, Cabrera-Bello, Sullivan and Fitzpatrick are the rookies, although Willett won the Masters in April and Wood claimed the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May.

Europe’s captain, Darren Clarke, will name his three wild cards on 30 August, with Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer strong favourites to be selected as Clarke has stressed he would favour experience for a contest on US soil.

Scotland’s Russell Knox and Pieters are understood to be the leading contenders for the final place.

Fitzpatrick has been in the qualifying places ever since winning his maiden European Tour title in the British Masters last October, the 21-year-old then claiming the Nordea Masters in June before a worrying dip in form. “It’s very exciting now,” he said after finishing fifth in Prague. “We can look forward to it and get my game in shape.

“I’ve probably been in the team for the longest period of time. It [the qualifying period] started a few weeks before I won at the British Masters and jumped into the team and I’ve managed to stay there since then. It’s been absolutely phenomenal and I’m just delighted to be in the team. It’s a great opportunity, I’ve got my first one coming up and hopefully I can just keep pushing on my game and getting better.”

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McIlroy Needs Major Putt

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Former world number one Rory McIlroy sits in fourth place in the latest official world golf rankings. The Northern Ireland man sandwiched below Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth, and just ahead of European Tour member and Open winner Henrik Stenson. Despite having won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in May the Holywood golfer last wins were in 2015 at the DP World Tour, WGC Cadillac Match Play and Omega Dubai Desert Classic the latter venue that gave him his first professional career win in 2009. The next came at Quail Hollow when he took his first PGA Title at the age of 21 and the first player since Tiger Woods to win on the PGA Tour at that tender age. The next season his ascent to top came when at Congressional he won his first major as the youngest player since Bobby Jones in 1923. 

By 2014 McIlroy had four major titles to his credit and looked at emulating Woods winning record of 14 majors in his career. Two years hence the momentum seems to have wilted somewhat. And as Woods faces the inevitable reality of the sunset of his career, or at least never returning to the dominance he once held in the game, McIlroy faces his own battle to return to world number one. Also get back on the major trail that at one time looked a feat within his grasp to equal Tiger Woods. However, the past few years have generated some new names in those top ranks that have made those records much trickier for Rory. Or indeed holding the aspiration of winning the grand slam in one season almost seem impossible. 

The arrival of Jordan Spieth started the turbulence in 2015 when the Texan won all around him only to see that momentum fade this year. The almost perennial nearly man Jason Day finally came good in 2015 despite some close calls prior. Failures that almost drove he Australian to consider giving up the game given his wilting self-belief. Fortunately for the game Day reversed all that at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights. The epic win followed by the Barclay and BMW Championship in the same season reviving confidence that led to the Aussie replacing Spieth as world Number 1 this year.

McIlroy’s tribulations are not unique as Spieth can vouch this season where his indestructible form has eked away. Not least at Augusta when leading the Masters, his defence of the title unravelled bizarrely at the twelfth hole after a string of bogeys already had reduced his lead. Not unlike McIlroy in 2011 the collapse was very public and uncomfortable for all concerned and a place from where Spieth has yet to emerge. In the case of McIlroy, he overcame it all within months when he clinched the US Open with a record score at Congressional. The context of which he built on to until his injury playing football with friends denied him the defence of The Open title he so convincingly seized at Hoylake in 2014. 

His return this year to the event at Royal Troon only showed some sparks on the final day. But insufficient to even contend on the final day. Where another nearly man Henrik Stenson demolished championship course with a round of 63 on the final day when pin positions are usually deemed inaccessible. Particularly on the perilous back nine at Royal Troon. Even more admirable an achievement when being chased and pressed by Phil Mickelson. This year though McIlroy was not in that final race in this major, nor was he at Oakmont where he missed the cut and Irish interests were represented by Shane Lowry in the end. Or the Players Championship where he finished 12th. 

An unlikely season for McIlroy and his quest for majors or indeed emulating Woods record all the more difficult. What Royal Troon has also shown that the hunger in the likes of Stenson has now been triggered, as it has for Dustin Johnson who for so many years was another nearly man. Indeed, in the top ten there are enough names to put the fear in anyone’s golf bag as each one could - on their day - destroy any field. Not to mention some of the younger talents racing up the field eager to earn their prize money and win these elusive major titles. Which for a number of years were littered with Irish names; Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, McIlroy and Darren Clarke. Currently that momentum has wavered. Albeit Lowry came very close last month in the US Open - suggesting his day is getting closer.

The shift in McIlroy’s putting grip in June highlighted some issues on his mind and shifting from his left hand grip back too conventional at Oakmont was a search for some improvements. The PGA Tour stats though show him 60 in the putting ranking and well behind the top three that included Day, Mickelson, Speith and even Jamie Donaldson. As numbers don’t lie it is clear that it is a part of McIlroy’s armoury which leaves him exposed on the course. Even with his number one place in drives there is a much better putting brigade hat are well ahead of him – no matter how easily he goes from tee to green. 

In Scotland there were a significant number of missed putts that were coming from a talented golfer not convinced himself that he is on terms with his putter. So it needs urgent attention if this year is to see a major win given the PGA Championship at Baltrusol Golf Clubs is the last remaining event in that class. In fairness though the season thus far has one win, and with a top finish everywhere he has played - part for the US Open. Although all good results well below the expectations McIlroy would have set himself back in January. 

Rory McIlroy - 2016 STATS PGA TOUR

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Warren Makes Marc at K Club

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Marc Warren rediscovered his form in spectacular fashion at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation on Friday and will head into the weekend battling it out with Rory McIlroy and Danny Willett.

With Willett making his first European Tour appearance since his victory at the Masters Tournament and McIlroy playing host for the week, all eyes were on the two highest ranked players in the field in the build up to play at the K Club.

That continued on day one as the pair moved to the top of the leaderboard, with Willett and McIlroy continuing to engage in a nip-and-tuck battle throughout the second morning before Warren made a brilliant move.

The Scotsman had made just three cuts in his nine starts so far this season but birdied three of his last four holes - with a brilliant chip-in coming on the eighth - to register a 66 and move to eight under.

That was good enough to give him a share of the lead alongside Willett who signed for a 71, with McIlroy just a shot further back after his round of 70.

Willett's triumph at Augusta was his second of the season while McIlroy has yet to finish outside the top ten, but Warren is a three-time winner himself and felt he was due a low score.

"I felt, especially the last three events, I felt as if I was close to some decent form," he said.

"The first few months of the season were a little bit of stop-start scheduling-wise.

I feel as if I'm starting to get into a little bit more of a run now, so hopefully that's the reason for the good form and hopefully it continues - Marc Warren

The 35 year old carded seven birdies to a single bogey in the calmer morning conditions - with the wind and rain arriving for the afternoon starters - and was delighted with his performance.

"I think everything was pretty solid overall," he added. "I kept the ball in play off the tee, which is obviously important in these conditions, and the short game is good."

Willett came into the day with a two-shot lead over McIlroy and while he was caught twice by the Northern Irishman, five birdies and four bogeys just kept him at the top of the leaderboard with Warren.

"A little bit scrappy but grinding out quite nicely," he said. "Marc's score today is a fantastic round of golf.

England's Matthew Southgate coped wonderfully with the more difficult later conditions to record a 69 and sit at five under, a shot clear of Tyrrell Hatton, who went one better in the afternoon.

South African duo Richard Sterne and Jaco Van Zyl were also at four under after rounds of 68 and 72 respectively.

Jorge Campillo, Jamie Donaldson, Bradley Dredge, Sébastien Gros, Russell Knox, Eddie Pepperell, Richie Ramsay, Brett Rumford, Callum Shinkwin and Chris Wood were then a further shot back.

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Tom McKibbin a Future Star

Rory McIlroy may be one of the stars of world golf, but Northern Irish teenager Tom McKibbin is hoping to following in the world No 3's footsteps.

The 13-year-old has already won the Junior Honda Classic and won the World Junior Championships last August, an event previously won by McIlroy when he was aged nine.

McKibbin has had the opportunity this week to play alongside his idol during the Pro-Am at the Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation, where he showcased his talent in front of a large crowd at the K Club. 

"Tom is obviously a great player," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "The first time I played with him I was really impressed. As a 13 year old, he already had everything."

The Newtownabbey teenager, nicknamed ‘T-Mac’, was invited by four-times Major champion McIlroy to play at the event, which is being hosted by the Rory Foundation.

Speaking before he travelled to the K Club, McKibbin said: “I’ve already played a round of golf with Rory and already learnt so much. I’ll use the day to learn more and have fun at the same time.”

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Master Willett Leads at The K Club

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Danny Willett leads Rory McIlroy by two shots after the first round of the Irish Open after eight birdies and a bogey in a seven-par-under 65 at the K Club.

McIlroy posted a 67 as he bids to improve his recent poor form at his home tournament, which has seen him miss three straight cuts at the event.

Callum Shinkwin and Jaco Van Zyl lie a shot behind McIlroy, with Soren Kjeldsen, Ross Fisher, Martin Kaymer and Brett Rumford three under.

World number three McIlroy, whose Rory Foundation is hosting the tournament, is seeking a first win of the season after six top-10 finishes.

The Northern Irishman recorded three birdies on his front nine, and picked up a further three shots on his inward nine, including a birdie at the 18th.

Willett showed much improved form after missing the cut at last week's Players Championship at Sawgrass, his first appearance since winning the first major of the season at Augusta.

The 28-year-old's round of 65 was only one shot off the course record set by South African Charl Schwartzel in 2003.

Heavy rain greeted the early starters but 2010 champion Fisher defied the difficult conditions to birdie three of the first five holes.

The Englishman's 69 saw him secure the clubhouse lead, along with two-time major winner Kaymer.

Shinkwin and Van Zyl bettered their scores by one, while defending champion Kjeldsen remains well in contention four shots off the lead, the same score as Australian Rumford.

Shane Lowry, who won the title as an amateur in 2009, ended one over, with 2007 champion Padraig Harrington five shots worse off after carding two double-bogeys on his front nine.

Graeme McDowell joined Lowry on one under, with Lee Westwood level par and European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke one over.

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McGee and Phelan Added to K Club

McGee at Challenge de Madrid - Getty Images

Ruaidhri McGee and Kevin Phelan have accepted invitations from Sport Ireland to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open which gets underway at The K Club next Thursday (19 May). 

This allows both players to start in a full European Tour event alongside some of the leading players in the world including Masters champion Danny Willett and Ireland's own Rory McIlroy. 

McGee, whose best finish of the season so far came on the Challenge Tour in Madrid where he was tied ninth can't wait to tee it up next week. 

"It's huge. It's such a big tournament the Irish Open. Obviously being my home tournament it's great to get to play in it. It could make a huge difference to the season. You have a good week there and it could change everything. 

"Sport Ireland have helped me out for the past three years now, it's been huge. I don't if I'd be where I am now without their support. I probably couldn't have played nearly as much as I have without it. It's been a great help." 

John Treacy, CEO Sport Ireland commented "I am delighted that Sport Ireland, through its sponsorship of the Irish Open, has been able to offer invitations to two emerging Irish golfers, Kevin Phelan and Ruaidhri McGee. This will provide both players with the opportunity to play in a top class European Tour event on home soil and also to help further their careers as professional golfers." 

Both McGee and Phelan received financial assistance this year from Sport Ireland as part of the Team Ireland Golf fund which is administered by the Confederation of Golf in Ireland. 

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Peter Lawrie Amongst The K Club Invites

Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 2015 - Getty Images

Peter Lawrie has received an invitation to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation which will be played at The K Club from May 19-22 in County Kildare.

Also included in the cherished list are Irish golfers Paul Dunne, of Hartl Resort, in Bad Griesbach; Gavin Moynihan of The Island GC; Kevin Phelan of Mount Juliet; Ruaidhri McGee of Rosapenna. Along with Ryan Evans of Wellingborough GC and Seve Benson of the Wentworth Club.

They all are joined Martin Kaymer, who has added his name to the all-star field, with a host of his fellow Ryder Cup players and European Tour winners also entered for the 61st edition of Ireland’s national Open.

Kaymer makes his fourth appearance - in what is now a €4 million tournament - with a tied tenth finish at Adare Manor in 2008 as his best performance to date. 

The German has not won though a regular European Tour event for five years – his last victory being the 2014 US Open Championship. But a top six finish on his last outing at Real Valderrama Club Open de España, Hosted by Sergio Garcia Foundation two weeks ago offered encouraging signs. 

Not unlike The K Club, which hosted a memorable Ryder Cup in 2006, Kaymer became synonymous with golf’s greatest team contest after holing the putt which ensured the trophy would remain in European hands at Medinah Country Club in 2012. 

A strong showing at The K Club under the eye of Europe’s 2016 Captain, Darren Clarke, would enhance Kaymer’s claims for a fourth straight Ryder Cup appearance. Englishman Chris Wood and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger also be hoping for inclusion in Europe’s line-up later in the year. 

Rafa Cabrera Bello, Soren Kjeldsen, Matt Fitzpatrick and Andy Sullivan all currently occupy automatic qualifying places for 2016 The Ryder Cup. 

Danny Willett will also be teeing up at The K Club has already confirmed his place at Hazeltine National in September following his victory at The Masters last month. 

Peter Lawrie was part of that strong field in Valderrama two weeks ago courtesy of being a former Open de España winner. Over the four days the Dubliner made good use of his return to a European Tour event with a solid performance in a tough field and testing conditions.

“It’s great news to get a start at our National event, said Peter from Rabata in Morocco, "Even more so as it has been revitalised by Rory McIlroy and Dubai Duty Free.” 

“With the Trophée Hassan this week it will offer another great opportunity to fine tune a few things and compete in another tough field.”

“So I’m really looking forward to the next few weeks,” concluded Lawrie

Lawrie lost his automatic playing rights after finishing 124th in the Race to Dubai last season.

*Peter Lawrie is sponsored by PGA Catalunya [Girona] and NewstalkFM [Dublin]

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McIlroy Fires Final 66 at Wells Fargo

McIlroy Round 4 - Getty Images

For Rory McIlroy the 18th hole ultimately proved to be his undoing at the Wells Fargo Championship as he played the 493-yard hole in 4 over par for the week. This included a bogey Sunday when his approach shot landed behind a rock on the other side of the creek that runs along the left side of the hole. 

McIlroy had seven birdies in between his bogeys on the first and last holes.

"Anytime you walk off the golf course and shoot 66, you can't be too disappointed," McIlroy said. "But I think in the circumstances, having a feeling like I had a chance on the back nine to post a number for the guys to at least think about it and I didn't."

The final winner James Hahn said the anxiety was creeping in after missing eight straight cuts on the PGA TOUR, causing him to wonder if he'd ever get his game straightened out.

But after a long talk with caddie Mark Urbanek last week, Hahn came to Quail Hollow Club with a renewed confidence and determination to end the streak. He did that and more.

Hahn beat Roberto Castro with a par on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff Sunday in the Wells Fargo Championship to snap the three-month slump and earn his second PGA TOUR title.

"It was going bad for a while," Hahn said. "Just didn't have the confidence, didn't believe in myself. I felt like I was putting in the work but wasn't getting any reward for it. ... You're playing bad and you're missing cuts and there's nothing funny about that."

The anxiety appeared a distant memory Sunday as a smiling Hahn cracked open a can of Bud Light as he sat behind the podium and asked the media, "You want one?"

Hahn, perhaps best known for his "Gangnam Style" birdie celebration three years ago on the Waste Management Phoenix Open's rowdy 16th hole, said when things got bad he remained motivated by never wanting to lose his PGA TOUR card and having to play on the Web.com Tour.

"I just told my wife, I can't play there -- I can't," Hahn said. "It's not an option for me. I feel like I'm good enough and I need to put in more work to stay on this level, and it's worth every minute of it. ... I have a lot of people counting on me."

He won't have to worry about that now for quite a while.

In winning, Hahn picked up the $1.3 million prize and an automatic two-year extension on the PGA TOUR, not bad for a former Bay Area women's shoes salesman.

"You have to keep believing in yourself and keep grinding. I constantly remind myself that I am good enough and belong out there," Hahn said.

Hahn said he never looked at the scoreboard all day and didn't know that if he'd made par on the 72nd hole that he would have likely sealed the tournament. Instead, he three-putted and made bogey, opening the door for Castro.

Castro, playing in the final group behind Hahn, made par to force a playoff.

But Castro's tee shot on the playoff hole found the creek on the left side of the fairway and his third shot landed in a spectator's shoe on the side of the green, leading to a bogey. The ball hit a spectator in the head before landing in the loafer.

"I was worried he was going to be laid out when we got up there," Castro said. "He'll ice it down and he'll be OK, I hope. But I felt bad about that."

Hahn shot 2-under 70 on Sunday, and Castro had a 71 to finish at 9 under, one shot ahead of Justin Rose (71). Hahn also won the 2015 Northern Trust Open at Riviera.

McIlroy and Phil Mickelson both shot 66 to tie for fourth at 7 under with third-round leader Rickie Fowler (74) and Andrew Loupe (71).

Both Castro and Hahn had chances to win in regulation.

Castro broke a tie when he rolled in a birdie putt from 6 feet on the 15th hole to get to 11 under. But he quickly gave the lead up with bogeys at 16 and 17 on the "Green Mile," the toughest closing holes on the PGA TOUR.

Despite the playoff loss, Castro refused to the dwell on the negative.

"Sure, it hurts to let this tournament specifically slip away, but there are 154 guys that didn't have a chance in that playoff and I feel grateful to have had a chance," Castro said.

"I hit a lot of good shots over the weekend, but unfortunately one bad hole yesterday kind of cost me," Mickelson said.

Fowler got off to a poor start, shooting 39 on the front nine and never mounting a challenge.

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