Dunne Helps Seal Walker Cup

Great Britain and Ireland regained the Walker Cup in comprehensive fashion at Royal Lytham on Sunday, securing the points required against the United States with six matches still to finish.

Leading 10-6 after the morning foursomes, the home side needed just three and a half points from the 10 singles to secure a fifth win from the last six contests on home soil.

And they did so at the earliest possible opportunity thanks to victories for Ashley Chesters, Cormac Sharvin and Jimmy Mullen and a half from Paul Dunne in the top four matches.

Chesters was sent out first once more and made it three and a half points from four by beating Jordan Niebrugge, who lost all three of his matches just two months after finishing sixth in the Open at St Andrews.

Sharvin then saw off 52-year-old Mike McCoy 4&3 before Mullen, who had partnered Chesters to two foursomes wins, beat Denny McCarthy to become the first GB&I player to have a perfect 4-0 record since Paul Casey and Luke Donald at Nairn in 1999.

That left Dunne to secure a half against world number two Maverick McNealy, who missed from five feet for birdie on the 18th to keep the biennial contest between the best amateurs from both sides of the Atlantic alive.

Captain Nigel Edwards struggled to put into words what it meant to lead his side to victory for the second time in three attempts.

"Gosh. It's great," the 47-year-old Welshman said. "At Royal Aberdeen (in 2011) we were up against it until the death but the boys at the top of the order went out fast as we needed them to do."

Asked about his perfect record, the 21-year-old Mullen said: "It did not matter as long as the team won, but to win all my matches is the icing on the cake."

Dunne, who led the Open after 54 holes before fading on the final day, added: "I will take winning over 30th place every day. It's so much better to do it as a team. Nigel has been a fantastic captain and inspired us from start to finish."

United States captain John Miller, who curiously sent NCAA and US Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau out last in the singles, said: "I am very proud of everyone to a man. They played hard and fought hard and lost with grace and dignity, and that's not easy to do.

"Nigel and his boys outplayed us, simple as that. They earned it."

DeChambeau had been on the 10th hole when the contest was decided and went on to beat Gavin Moynihan 6&5.

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Classic Harrington Wins Honda

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Padraig Harrington overturned a four-shot final day deficit to snatch a dramatic victory at the second play-off hole of a rain-delayed Honda Classic.

After bad weather had forced the tournament into a fifth day, Harrington, without a PGA Tour title since a two-stroke win at the 2008 PGA Championship, sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th to finish level on six-under with rookie Daniel Berger and force a play-off.

The pair both two-putted the first extra hole at the 18th for par, before Harrington nailed his tee-shot at the 17th to within five-feet of the hole as Berger found the hazard. With the American only able to double-bogey, Harrington took two attempts from five feet to end his title drought and book his ticket to next month's Masters. 

Earlier, Harrington had struck four birdies in a row to move in to the clubhouse lead, missing a 10-foot putt at the 15th for a fifth successive gain. The Irishman had lost his advantage with a double-bogey at the penultimate hole when his tee-shot flew into the water hazard, but sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th to force a play-off.

Berger, nine shots adrift heading in to the final round, had fired back-to-back birdies to close with an impressive six-under 64. 

Poulter, searching for a first stroke-play win in America, opened the day by rolling in a birdie at the 8th before missing an 11-foot putt for a further gain at the following hole.

Reaching the turn two clear, the world No 36 opened up the top of the leaderboard with a double-bogey at the 11th, finding the water with his second shot and then two-putting from 15-feet.

The Englishman was unfortunate again at the 13th when, from 120 yards, his second shot from the fairway bunker rattled the flag and spun away, with the resulting 15-foot birdie putt rolling alongside the hole.

Things went from bad to worse for Poulter at the next when, after taking a drop out of water following a wayward tee-shot, his third shot from the dirt ricocheting off a palm tree and ended back in the lake. After seeing his fifth shot fall in to a deep bunker, Poulter had to settle for triple-bogey.

With others faltering around him, Poulter ended positively with back-to-back birdies to end tied-third alongside British duo Russell Knox and Paul Casey. 

Overnight joint-leader Casey picked up an early birdie at the ninth, before dropping shots with an eight-foot missed putt at 11 and a tee-shot into a bunker at 14. Needing to pick up a stroke at the 18th to move joint-leader, Casey played his third shot out of the bunker to within 20-feet of the hole but saw his birdie-putt slow up inches short. 

Despite carding three bogeys in his final round, Knox ended strongly to post a two-under 68, while Jamie Donaldson made three late gains to finish a further shot back, with a three-putt from 50-feet at the 16th his only blemish.

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Paul Makes Casey for Title Defence

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Paul Casey returns to defend his Irish Open title, which he won in such dramatic circumstances last year.

The tournament is a hugely popular event among fans and players alike, and Casey’s three stroke victory last year, courtesy of a spectacular 45-foot eagle putt at the last, has given the Englishman even more motivation this time round.

“I always defend a title,” he said. “I won in Korea and I went back to Korea. If I won in Timbuktu, I'd go back to Timbuktu. I never get tired of defending. It’s exciting to me and this is an important championship. The Irish Open is one of the biggest titles I've won. It meant a lot winning it last year. “

The tournament will be held at Fota Island Resort in Co. Cork for the first time since 2002 this year – and there will be no shortage of stars on show vying to emulate Casey.

The home fans will have plenty to cheer about with Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington all featuring in this year’s world class field.

McIlroy’s form means he is almost guaranteed a place in Irishman Paul McGinley’s Ryder Cup European team at Gleneagles Hotel in September, however Casey knows he must find his very best form soon if he is to feature.

“I need to play some stellar stuff,” he said. “I need to win at least one big one or a couple of others by the cut-off. I think it's plain and simple. And even that doesn't guarantee anything, but at least that might get me into consideration.”

The Arizona-based player has shown glimpses of the magic touch that saw him climb to third place in the Official World Golf Ranking back in 2009.

A second round 63 at the Byron Nelson Championship on the US PGA Tour last month showed the 36 year old might not be too far away from returning to his best form.

Casey is hoping to have some generous support from the Irish galleries this week, thanks to his Irish roots.

“Casey is a Cork name,” he said. “One of my cousins who lives in the States has done a whole bunch of research on all our ancestors so I will try this week to find out more. It was my great grandfather who was over here, and I think my grandfather on my dad's side moved to South Africa. So it's pretty close - I'll try and find out more.” 

Casey’s exploits last year at Carton House Golf Club endeared him to many Irish fans. Another triumph this week would reinforce that bond and put Casey well and truly back in the spotlight.

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McIlroy Takes Charge in Dublin

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Rory McIlroy picked up seven birdies and two eagles to storm to the top of the leaderboard on the first day of Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

But the Northern Irishman, who won the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday, might have been five strokes clear of the field had he not spoiled his remarkable run over the back nine with a double bogey on the par four 14th hole.

He rallied to card an impressive nine under 63, while England's Paul Casey shot a six under 66 earlier on Thursday to take a share of second place with Americans Bubba Watson and Chris Kirk.

McIlroy continued his winning momentum from Wentworth Club to Muirfield Village.

Birdies on the second, fourth and seventh holes followed a run of two birdies and an eagle over the turn before he picked up a sixth shot on 13.

At eight under he was two strokes clear of the three men who had already carded 66, but briefly joined Casey and the American duo in a tie for the lead after finding the rear bunker on 14 and needing a total of six shots to hole out.

McIlroy remedied that situation immediately by draining a 15 foot putt to claim his second eagle of the day before adding one final birdie on the 16th.

Casey started with a bogey but reached the turn four under having drained an eagle on the par five seventh.

He mixed three more birdies with a bogey between 14 and 17 while Kirk's seven birdies and a bogey kept him in sight of the lead.

Reigning Masters Tournament champion Watson might well have finished on eight under but dropped shots on 16 and 17.

With Adam Scott recently rising to the World No. 1 ranking, all eyes are on the Aussie to see if he can cement his position well into the 2014 season.

However the prominent victory of a young Northern Irishman last week sent a warning that there may be a new contender on the block, aside from Scott, World No. 2 Henrik Stenson and the injured Tiger Woods.

This week Rory McIlroy jumped up into the World No. 6 position and the move also sparked speculation that he and Scott may be the next Woods / Mickelson style rivalry.

Certainly, Rory hasn’t held back heading into this week’s The Memorial tournament. After Round 1 McIlroy has a two shot lead over the field, a 9-under 63 a clear indication that his game is as strong as it has ever been.

Scott’s opening round was solid but certainly not as showy; a 3-under 69 placing him in the top 15.

The Queenslander is the first Australian to reach World No. 1 since Greg Norman relinquished the position in January 1998, the importance of the achievement not lost of the Aussie.

The Memorial tournament continues over the weekend with McIlroy and Scott partnering Aussie Jason Day for the opening two rounds.

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Harrington Consistent at Byron Nelson

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Pádraig Harrington suffered two penalty drops on Friday at the Byron Nelson Championship and still managed to sign for a two under par 68 and remain two shots off a cluttered leader board with eight players on 6 under.

The Dubliner doubled the third aftre finding water and then again at the 18th. But recovered without loss, and then birdied the next, along with the sixth and ninth to turn in 34 strokes. 

At the par-four 11th he carded a fourth birdie.

Paul Casey came within one stroke of the PGA Tour scoring record for nine holes when he stormed home in 27 shots to vault into an early share of the lead in the Byron Nelson Championship second round in Irving, Texas.

Casey was in danger of missing the cut after a mediocre front nine, but he turned on the afterburners at the turn and picked up eight strokes on the inward half, thanks to an eagle and six birdies at the TPC Four Seasons Resort.

“I’m loving my golf right now,” Casey told Golf Channel after shooting a seven-under-par 63 for a six-under total of 134. Only American Corey Pavin, who shot an eight-under 26 on the front nine at Brown Deer Park during the 2006 US Bank Championship in Milwaukee, has posted a better nine-hole score on the PGA Tour.

Casey’s 27 matches the tour record for a back nine, emulating Nick Watney (2011 AT&T National), Brandt Snedeker (2007 Buick Invitational), Billy Mayfair (2001 Buick Open), Andy North (1975 BC Open) and Mike Souchak (1955 Texas Open).

He shared the early lead at the TPC Four Seasons Resort with German Martin Kaymer(67), Canadians Mike Weir (66) and Graham DeLaet (66) and American Morgan Hoffman (66) with half the field back in the clubhouse.

Pádraig Harrington survived two penalty drops to card a 68 and lie two shots off their scores.

The Dubliner found water on the third and the 18th but avoided dropping shots at the last to sign for a second 68.

At the third he took a double-bogey having found water off the tee but he recovered well to birdie the next, the sixth and ninth to turn in 34.

At the par-four 11th, he dropped his approach within five feet of the hole and took a fourth birdie.

He looked in trouble on 18 when he again found water off the tee, but after taking a drop his approach was precise once more and from 15 feet he saved par.

Kaymer showed no signs of a victory hangover following his Players Championship win on Sunday, though he did reveal that he did not sleep well overnight.

“Today there’s not much wind and especially in the morning we had lovely greens, and I could take advantage of a couple of long putts here and there,” Kaymer said. “I played very solid and didn’t make many mistakes. I like to play brave and if you hit a bad shot here and there, it’s OK.”

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McGinley Delays WildCards

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Paul McGinley has confirmed he will announce his wild card picks for next year's Ryder Cup a day later than scheduled.

The Irishman was originally due to unveil his three captain's selections on Monday, September 2, the day after the final qualifying event - the Italian Open - finishes.

But he has put back the announcement by 24 hours to avoid clashing with the Deutsche Bank Championship, the second of the four FedEx Cup play-off events, which will finish on the Monday.

The delay will also avoid a repeat of the situation in 2010, when Justin Rose and Paul Casey played the final round in Boston shortly after finding out they had been overlooked by Colin Montgomerie for the contest at Celtic Manor.

"With no actual qualification points counting in the Deutsche Bank Championship, I was initially prepared to make my wild card announcement on the Monday - the day after the final counting event, the 2014 Italian Open," McGinley said.

"But I have had a rethink and I now want to delay 24 hours as I realise that some potential members of the team might well be playing in Boston that week.

"Realistically, I think it will have minimal effect, but out of respect for any players involved, I want to allow them to finish that tournament before I call them with news, one way or another."

The decision means both teams will announce their wild cards on the same day, with American captain Tom Watson revealing his three selections at a venue yet to be announced.

McGinley will reveal his choices at the European Tour headquarters at Wentworth, which was also the venue when Gleneagles was named as the host venue in 2001.

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Casey Irish Eagle Adds RESPECT

Paul Casey’s dramatic eagle on the final hole at Carton House not only sealed a first European Tour victory in two and a half years for the Englishman, it also helped boost the overall amount of money raised for RESPECT Ireland, the Official Charity of the 2013 Irish Open. 

The Tour Players Foundation (TPF), the charitable arm of The European Tour, the Mallaghan Family, owners of Carton House, and a private donor joined forces with an ‘Irish Open Birdie Pledge’, each giving €10 per birdie, €20 per eagle and €50 per Albatross during the four tournament rounds last week.

Casey’s stunning 45ft putt on the final hole earned the 35 year old his 12th European Tour title, and took the total number of eagles to 22 for the tournament, raising a total of €1,320. 

Subsequent closing birdies by Casey’s final round playing partners Robert Rock and Joost Luiten helped the pair share second place and also took the total number of birdies to 1,405, raising €42,150. 

A total of €43,470 was generated by the ‘Irish Open Birdie Pledge’, which will be added to money raised from other charitable activities during the tournament week. 

During Wednesday’s Official Pro-Am, The European Tour professionals taking part donated their Pro-Am fees to RESPECT, producing a donation in excess of €14,000 which was presented by The European Tour Wives Association, on behalf of their partners, during a visit to RESPECT’s Consilla Care Centre, near Carton House. 

Spectators also added to the fundraising total when they purchased the Official Programmes or Drawsheets, which included a donation of €1 per programme or drawsheet sold. Fundraising activity also took place on RESPECT’s exhibition stand and, along with donations from a variety of private donors, added more than €11,000 to the fundraising total. 

When combined, all of the Irish Open fundraising initiatives raised a grand total of €70,000 for RESPECT Ireland, a charity that supports people of all ages with intellectual disabilities in the Dublin area from two Care Villages within 20kms of Carton House.

In addition, The European Tour players and caddies showed their support for the Official Charity by wearing RESPECT pin badges on their hat or collar.

George O’Grady, European Tour Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted with the fundraising total for RESPECT from the Irish Open. 

“Everyone at the event got behind this fantastic charity, which does such great work in the local area and which has a close association with this year’s Irish Open through the Mallaghan Family. The European Tour is proud that through the Tour Players Foundation, our charitable arm, we were able to contribute greatly to the fundraising total and we thank everyone else for their support.”

Sister Zoe Killeen, Director of RESPECT Ireland said: “Congratulations to The European Tour and the Mallaghan Family at Carton House for a wonderful tournament. The amount raised was truly remarkable, and on behalf of our people with an intellectual disability and RESPECT, a very special thank you must go to the Tour Players Foundation, the Mallaghan Family and the private donor for their support via the Birdie Pledge. Also, congratulations to Paul Casey on his fantastic win, and we were very proud to see that he wore our pin badge for the entire week.”

Lee Mallaghan, Owner and President of Carton House, said: “The Mallaghan family has been involved with RESPECT for over 20 years, so we are very grateful that a cause so close to our hearts has benefited from the Irish Open at Carton House. It was great to see so much money raised for such a wonderful charity. Our thanks go to everyone who contributed, especially The European Tour and its charitable arm, the Tour Players Foundation, and of course all of the players who made so many birdies and eagles.”

Irish Open Champ Backs McIlroy

Paul Casey insists Rory McIlroy is not using "inferior" equipment since his controversial multi-million pound switch to Nike and has backed the world number two to get back to winning ways soon.

McIlroy missed his fourth cut of the season after rounds of 74 and 72 in the Irish Open last week, admitting a new driver was still not 100 per cent right and that he was unsure of whether he would miss fairways left or right with the club.

Casey, who also uses Nike equipment, said after his Irish Open victory on Sunday: "Wow. I must admit, I've not had a Nike question in a while. Whatever I say could be quite delicate. I have the fullest confidence in Rory and I think I would agree with what I've been reading, which is that Rory is kind of a streaky player, but I have 100 per cent confidence in Rory being back in the winner's circle very, very soon."

He added: "I talk to Rory on the range but I don't know what he's working on or what he's been struggling with equipment-wise. We have so many different specs. He's using a different golf ball to me, a different shaft, a different head. It's so many variables.

"But it really frustrates me when I read negative press about Nike and their equipment. They are a legitimate golf brand, legitimate golf company, and people don't necessarily see what I see behind the scenes with the R&D (research and development) and the personnel that are making fantastic golf products.

"It's right up there; I would put three or four other manufacturers up there in the same ballpark. It is not inferior (equipment) in any way, and this is just something that he (McIlroy) is just trying to get right. I have confidence that he will.

"Last week for me the putting clicked. I actually switched putters and put a new putter in. It's the same Nike putter, looks the same but has dots on top to line the ball up; that was the only difference."

Casey was ranked as high as third in the world in 2009 before suffering from numerous injury problems which contributed to a loss in form, meaning his win on Sunday lifted him from 169th in the world to 102nd.

The former Ryder Cup star is still troubled by a toe problem and revealed he may need surgery this winter, although the chances of another broken collarbone from snowboarding appear to be over.

"My toe is actually very sore," he said. "I've got no cartilage in the right big toe joint. At some point I'll probably have an injection in it to relieve that pain and probably at the end of the year I might have it cut open and cleaned out, which might mean some time off. But I'm manning up and I'm dealing with the pain! As for snowboarding, I just haven't been back. I haven't really given it up. But I believe it's now in my Nike contract!"

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