McIlroy is World Number Three

US Open champion Rory McIlroy has climbed to a career-high of third in the world rankings.

Martin Kaymer's failure to finish in the top eight at the BMW International Open on Sunday led to McIlroy moving above the German.

World number one Luke Donald and Lee Westwood are now the only players above McIlroy in the rankings.

McIlroy, 22, is currently on a break and will next be in action in the Open Championship at Sandwich.

The Northern Irishman clinched his first major triumph last weekend when he won by eight shots at Congressional.

Galway Sports Scholarship Deadline

NUI Galway supports high performing athletes in a wide range of sports through its Sports Scholarship program. We currently have 50 athletes in 17 different sports benefitting from NUI Galway Sports Scholarships. 

The Scholarship program is being strategically developed not just to reward their ability and previous performances but to assist these young athletes develop their sporting ability hand in hand with their academic progress by putting in place the necessary supports 

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The benefits of being a scholarship holder includes; 

• A subsistence grant • Coaching support • Medical and Physiotherapy support • Performance Nutrition • Performance Psychology • Strength and Conditioning • Performance planning and mentoring. 

Each Scholarship will be built around the individuals needs and their chosen sport. Our key goal is to provide the supports that the ambitious and dedicated athlete can avail of to help them improve to the highest levels and to enable them to gain an outstanding qualification at the same time. 

The University has a dedicated Elite Sports development officer former Olympic Sprinter Gary Ryan, to assist these sportspeople in the pursuit of their twin sporting and academic goals. Gary, the former Director of Coaching for Athletics Ireland said "We are developing our scholarship scheme to the highest international standards to give outstanding talent the opportunity to develop. The scholarship and High performance sports program will create a performance environment for sport and study that encourages, challenges and supports each individual to reach their maximum potential". 

Current Scholarship holders include Inter County Senior Hurlers and Footballers, International Sprinters, Rowers, Swimmers, Rugby and Soccer players and some of Ireland’s leading young talents in sports as diverse as Rock Climbing, Windsurfing and Tennis. 

You can apply for a Sports Scholarship online: Sports Scholarship Application. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is 31st July. If you would like to learn more about the Sports Scholarship you can contact the Elite Sport Development Officer, Gary Ryan on 091 495979 or gary.ryan@nuigalway.ie

ThumbCaddy - Fit It, Grip It and RIP IT!

Thumb Caddy is an inch long, U shaped plastic device wrapped in a coat of soft rubber that clips onto the thinnest part of the shaft and slides up onto the middle of the grip. The Thumb Caddy is then aligned with the club logo or the club face, depending on the type of club.

How it Works

Thumb Caddy keeps your grip consistent throughout the swing. A stable grip prevents the tendency to turn your grip during the swing, what is commonly referred to as re-gripping. Thumb Caddy allows you to maintain proper club alignment and with a square club face, you'll consistently hit straighter and longer shots with more accuracy.

The Thumb Caddy also promotes optimum grip pressure and prevents you from gripping the handle too tightly, what the pros call "the death grip." You should hold the club lightly enough to allow for plenty of wrist freedom and feel, but firmly enough to maintain control throughout your swing. With Thumb Caddy you will be able to hinge and unhinge with more speed and power - resulting in more accuracy and distance!

A Grip Aid for Everyone

Thumb Caddy is used by a wide range of golf participants. Teaching Pros use Thumb Caddy in their lessons to reinforce a proper grip technique with beginners and children. Low Handicappers will practice with Thumb Caddy to build proper muscle memory and then slip it off their grip to play a competitive round. And recreational golfers will put one all their clubs and use as a full time playing aid. The end result is the same: with the proper grip you will eliminate hooks and slices and take strokes off your game!

It's Easy...Just Snap It, Fit It, Grip It and RIP IT!

Order first sample for half price!

 

McIlroy's Holywood Homecoming

US Open winning golfer Rory McIlroy poses with his trophy at Holywood Golf Club on June 22, 2011 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The 22 year old golfer has returned home to his native Northern Ireland and is giving press interviews and meeting with local supporters.

(June 21, 2011 - Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Europe)

Play with Rory McIlroy in Killarney

Record-breaking US Open Champion Rory McIlroy will return to the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club for this year’s Irish Open, offering golf fans the thrill of a lifetime - to play alongside him in the tournament Pro-Am.

Ticket purchasers for this year’s event, to be played over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from July 28 – 31, will be able to enter a competition to win a place in golf’s newest and most exciting Major Champion’s Pro-Am Team on Wednesday, July 27.

Tickets are now available from www.europeantour.com/tickets with advance savings available on all season, daily and concession tickets. Junior fans, under the age of 16 and accompanied by a paying adult, will be granted free entry to the tournament. 

To enter the competition to play with Rory visit www.europeantour.com/tickets.

Now, one lucky fan will have the chance to get up close and personal with McIlroy by winning a place in his Pro-Am Team for what can only be described as the chance of a lifetime to play 18 holes with the runaway US Open Champion. In addition, the winner will receive free accommodation in a four star hotel for two nights (July 26 and 27)in order to soak up the entire Irish Open experience.

The 22 year old, who captured the US Open by a remarkable eight shots at Congressional on Sunday, is one of the biggest draws in golf and creates a huge buzz wherever he plays in the world. Nowhere was that more evident than the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club last year, as ‘Rory Fever’ swept through County Kerry and beyond as crowds flocked to see the young star in person.

“I’m really pleased to be able to offer someone a place in my Pro-Am Team at Killarney – hopefully people will like the idea of taking me on. I might even give them a couple of shots!”

McIlroy cannot wait to get back to Killarney as he bids to follow Padraig Harrington in 2007 and Shane Lowry in 2009 as home grown winners of their national Open. 

“The Irish Open is very high on the list of tournaments that I would like to win in my career one day,” said McIlroy.

“I think every golfer has a special place in his or her heart for their national Open and I am no different. To win in front of a home crowd is something we don’t get the chance to do that often, so I’d love to win the title.

“The event was a real success last year with so many people coming down to Killarney to support myself and the other Irish guys. Obviously G-Mac and Padraig were huge draws as well last year and I am sure it will be the same again this year.

“The Irish crowds are pretty amazing. They are unique in the way they get behind you and you always want to do well when you are playing in front of them.”

The competition closes for entries at midnight on Wednesday 20th July, 2011. European Tour Terms and Conditions apply. All entrants must be aged 16 and over on July 27, 2011 and in possession of an official handicap.