A Truly Special Season - Rory McIlroy

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Rory McIlroy has described being crowned as European Tour No 1 for a second time as "truly special" as he reflected on a memorable 2014 campaign.

The world No 1 was confirmed as the winner of the Race to Dubai following Brook's Koepka's victory at the Turkish Airlines Open, the penultimate tournament of the European Tour's Final Series.

Closest rival Henrik Stenson closed with a 64 to claim outright third place in Antalya, finishing three shots adrift of Koepka, but the Swede is a distant 2,726,514 points behind McIlroy with only 1,666,600 on offer to the winner of next week's season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

McIlroy, 25, also added another record to his collection as he became the youngest player in history to capture the Harry Vardon Trophy twice having claimed his first in 2012.

The Northern Irishman ended an 18-month title drought with his victory at the BMW PGA Championship in May, and he returned to the top of the world rankings with a stunning run of form in July and August.

He captured his first Open Championship crown at Royal Liverpool before winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship, his fourth major victory.

"This has obviously been the best season of my career by a long way, and to win The Race to Dubai for the second time really is something truly special"

“This has obviously been the best season of my career by a long way, and to win The Race to Dubai for the second time really is something truly special," said McIlroy, who will return to action in Dubai next week after taking time off to prepare for a court case involving his former management company.

"That four-week spell over the summer, from The Open to the US PGA Championship, would have to be the best golf of my life, so I feel like I’ve really earned The Race to Dubai.

“Winning it for the first time two years ago was a fantastic feeling, but I feel like I’m now a more complete player and my all-round game has moved to another level. I’ve put in a lot of hard work this season, with my game and my fitness, so it’s nice to get the rewards at the end of it.

“In some ways the pressure is off next week, but I’ll fight very hard to end the year on a high with another victory. I’ve a great record in this tournament, and in Dubai generally, having secured my first European Tour win there in 2009.

“Finishing with five birdies to win the DP World Tour Championship in 2012 is right up there with my best performances on The European Tour, so every time I go back to Jumeirah Golf Estates, it always brings back some happy memories.

“It’s a great tournament to finish the season with, and if I can notch up another win it really will complete an amazing year. I’m looking forward to getting out on the golf course and feeling that competitive edge again.”

European Tour chief executive George O'Grady added: “During another season of incredible success for the European Tour, with our members winning three of the four major championships, it says something about his outstanding form that Rory ends the year as the dominant player not only on our Tour, but on the world stage.

“Given the extraordinary success he has achieved, it is only right that the season should culminate in Rory winning the Harry Vardon Trophy for the second time, and it would be no surprise to anyone if he were to end his campaign with another win in Dubai next week.

"He is a credit both to himself and the European Tour, and a most deserving winner of The Race to Dubai.”

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Lawrie and Thornton Move Up

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Simon Thornton moved into a share of tenth place at The European Tour Final Qualifying on Sunday, after a second round 69 shot him twenty three places up the leader board for -5 overall.

A flurry of early birdies without loss saw the former Royal County Down assistant Pro reach the turn in 33 strokes and for a time, with a grasp of fifth spot. Then a level par back nine – which included a birdie and bogey – left Thornton unable to capitalise further on the solid start to remain with the top ten.

Peter Lawrie carded two strokes better on the Tour Course with birdies on 3, 7, 13 and 14. The good progress then halted by a double bogey 6 on the fifteenth.

However two consecutive birdies on the final two holes saw the Dubliner end day two on three under par and with a share of 17th overnight.

Kevin Phelan slipped thirty spots after a two over par 72 on the same course with only one birdie on his card to offset three dropped shots on Sunday The Deiseman ending his second day T47.

Gareth Maybin signed for two double bogeys and remains in 102nd place on +3 overall. A double bogey six on the par 4 fourth and a similar score on the thirteenth the main damage on day two. With only two birdies to offset the added loss of five strokes on the card the Ballyclare man unable to find a rich vein of form so far.

Michael McGeady also slipped down the leader board on Sunday with a round of 75, dropping the Derryman thirty eight places on +4 overall now facing an eight shot swing with the leading players.

The runner up at the 2014 Irish PGA Championship signed for five bogeys with just two birdies in reply on the Stadium Course and needing to redeem some strokes on the Tour course on Monday.

Airban Lahiri moved two shots clear of the field after the World Number 74 carded a four under par 68 on the testing Stadium Course to move to nine under par after day two of the six-round marathon.

The 27 year old, whose nickname ‘Baan’ is written on the back of his cap, is the highest-ranked player in the field at PGA Catalunya Resort, having won twice on the Asian Tour and recorded two top ten finishes on The European Tour this year.

The Bangalore player put serious weight behind that statistic as he recorded just a single bogey in his opening 36 holes at the stunning European Tour Destination near Girona, a five at the par four 17th in round two which was preceded by a superb eagle at the par five 15th, where a beastly drive left him with an eight iron approach.

Lahiri duly knocked that to ten feet, before holing what was one of his longest putts of an impressive ball-striking day to move to the summit and edge closer to European Tour Membership for the first time in his career.

“I played really well today,” said the five-time Asian Tour winner. “I really enjoy playing tracks like the Stadium Course here, it demands a lot of shots from you and I really enjoy that challenge.

“It’s not easy. You’ve got to really hit a lot of good shots so I’m really happy with the way I played today. There were a couple of loose holes at the end there but I’m really happy with the way I’m hitting the ball.

“I could have putted a lot better today so hopefully that gets better throughout the week. I’ve played a lot in Europe, some tournaments in America, some in Japan and around Europe too so these are not alien conditions to me anymore.

“They were when I played here three years ago. It’s ten degrees warmer now than the last time I played in December so that helps! I’m quite comfortable now.

“I’ve just been playing well. This whole year has been solid and I’m just trying to do the same things I’ve been doing and keep that form going. The rest of it should take care of itself.

“Even on the 12th I hit it to around five feet for eagle and it didn’t even touch the hole with my putt, so I’ve been hitting it really solid and hopefully I can keep that going.”

Pelle Edberg, meanwhile, carded the round of the week thus far as the experienced Swede fired a spectacular eight under par 62 on the Tour Course to climb 75 places into a share of second.

The 35 year old, on his eighth visit to Final Stage, teed off on the tenth hole before a superlative six under front nine helped move him to seven under par alongside compatriot Rikard Karlberg.

Edberg was delighted with his round and, while he did admit he felt the pressure coming into this week – having missed out on Challenge Tour graduation last week, finishing 44th in the Rankings – he feels he has played his cards right so far in Girona.

“Seven under through two rounds is pretty good,” he said. “There are four rounds still to go, but obviously that is a good start. I played pretty solid and holed a few putts, so it was good.

“You know you have two rounds on the Tour Course before the cut, and you really need to be a few under over this one, and then level on the Stadium over four rounds. Then, you should stand a pretty good chance.

“I will hit a few balls on the range this evening, but will also spend a few hours on the paddle courts. It is a long week and you can’t change too much in your swing, so I just feel like I need to be rested and be 100 per cent focused out on the course.

“If I said I didn’t feel any pressure coming in this week then I’d be lying. I finished top 45 on the Challenge Tour so I might get a few events (on The European Tour) next year, but a top 25 here would of course help that.

“I just need to forget today and head out on the other course tomorrow, make as many pars as possible, and maybe hole one or two birdie putts.”

Four time European Tour winner Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina, young English prospect Matthew Fitzpatrick and former Challenge Tour Number One Andrea Pavan of Italy were among the six players tied for fourth place on six under par.

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Irish Make Start at PGA Catalunya

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European Tour Final Qualifying Stage teed off on Saturday with a five strong Irish contingent amid the hopeful qualifiers at PGA Catalunya.

Since 1976, The European Tour Qualifying School has been held to establish which players, not otherwise exempt, will gain their playing privileges on the Tour for the following season through a qualifying competition. The Qualifying School is held in three stages - dependent on the individual's status - at a series of venues in the UK and Continental Europe. 

In the region of 1,000 competitors enter the Qualifying School each year, all aiming for a European Tour card, awarded to the top 25 and ties following the Final Stage. A player progressing through all three stages will have to play 252 holes under the most intense pressure.

The leading 25 players (plus those tied for 25th place) will earn Category 15 Membership of The European Tour for the following season.

Kevin Phelan leads the Irish challenge after signing for 69 to claim a three under par opening round on the Stadium Course on Saturday. With only one stroke dropped for a share 17th place and just three shots off leader, Christian Gloet of Denmark, who fired 64. 

Simon Thornton signed for a two under 68 on the Tour Course after reaching the turn in 34 and then the clubhouse without further loss. Although forfeited a birdie on the back nine when the Bradford born Thornton bogeyed the second last.

Peter Lawrie finished just one stroke further adrift on -1 and a share of 47th place. 

A mixed day for the Dubliner who carded an eagle three on the third and then mixed five bogeys and four birdies before signing his card in the recorders hut. 

Michael McGeady finished one over par on the Tour Course with a round that showed three birdies. Albeit four strokes were given back either side of the turn.

Gareth Maybin battled for a two over par finish with a double bogey six on the last damaging an otherwise level par round. But a share of 100th places the Ballyclare man trailing the leader by eight strokes after the opening round. And four strokes off the top 25.

The field play two rounds each on both the Tour and Stadium courses to establish the top 70 and ties who will qualify for the final 36 holes.

The closing two rounds will then be contested on the Stadium Course.

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Missed Cut Ends Harrington PGA Tour

Padraig Harrington carded a second round 72 in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico on Friday and missing the cut. It draws to a close this season tournaments on PGA Tour with only invites on offer next year having already lost his automatic playing rights. The five year exemption following his US PGA Championship in 2008 now expired.

Michael Putnam birdied five of the first eight holes Friday and finished with a 7-under 64 to take the lead in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

Putnam had a 12-under 130 total, playing the first 36 holes without a bogey on Mayakoba's El Camaleon course. He won the Web.com Tour's 2013 Mexico Championship.

"I've kept the ball in play really well," Putnam said. "It's a tight golf course and got to keep it between the trees. After that, I've hit a lot of greens and made a lot of two putts. I did make about a 10-footer for par on 16 -- probably the hardest hole on the course. Other than that, it was a pretty easy bogey-free round."

Winless in 95 career PGA TOUR starts, the 31-year-old former Pepperdine player birdied the par-4 18th to close his morning round.

"It's a hard hole today," Putnam said. "Driver, 6-iron into the wind and an 18-foot putt."

Shawn Stefani and Jason Bohn were a stroke back. They each shot 65.

Stefani had seven birdies and a bogey.

"I've been hitting the ball really well for quite some time now," Stefani said. "The last few days really has been credit to my putter. I kind of figured something out on Wednesday and just kind of focused on that."

Bohn had six birdies in his second straight bogey-free round.

"It's about positioning yourself in the middle of the fairway or right side of the fairway and trying to attack some of these flags," Bohn said. "One of my strengths is just getting the ball in play. If I can get my putter hot, we'll see what happens."

Ken Duke was 10 under after a 63, the best round of the day.

David Hearn, Nicholas Thompson, Will MacKenzie and Alex Cejka were 9 under. Hearn and Thompson shot 65, Cejka had a 67, and MacKenzie a 68.

Fred Funk, the oldest player in the field at 58, was 8 under after a 65. He won the 2007 event at 50 years, 8 months, 12 days to become the fifth-oldest PGA TOUR winner.

Oscar Fraustro topped the seven Mexican players in the field, shooting a 67 to reach 7 under.

"I'm happy with my round today again, very good score again," Fraustro said through a translator. "It could have been better, but I had better control of my game."

Countryman Carlos Ortiz was another stroke back, overcoming an early double bogey for a 69. He won three times on the Web.com Tour last season.

"I'm proud of myself," Ortiz said. "I got it back and finished under par. I'm still in the tournament."

Defending champion Harris English was 4 under after a 71.

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Irish Golf Desperately Seeking Cards

The momentum of a next generation of Irish golfers to follow Shane Lowry, Michael Hoey, Damien McGrane and Graeme McDowell, is very much needed in order to maintain a strong Irish presence in the game. Or protect market share to build on the pioneering work of the latest generation - two time major winner Padraig Harrington, Open Champion Darren Clarke. 

As well as the first Irish Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

Leaving the case of Wunderkind Rory McIlroy as a separate story given the Holywood golfer is a once in a lifetime phenomenon.

In reality the game on these shores was built by the legends of the domestic game - men and women - who ploughed the furrow decades ago. In the days when prize money was minimal; travel not done by private jet; the sponsorship meagre and the hard work seeming even harder no doubt. 

That roll call includes Fred Daly, Christy O'Connor, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Philip Walton, David Feherty, Ronan Rafferty and Christy O'Connor Jnr. A highlight of just some of the names who did more than their bit for Irish golf - including winning Ryder Cup's. Doing so on foreign shores and far flung places. 

In those days it was just as hard to get a European Tour card. Maybe even harder they might say. Though the truth now is that there is increased competition from Sweden, Spain, France and Germany which was somewhat less then. 

These days Stephen Grant, Niall Turner, Michael McGeady, Gareth Shaw, Michael McGeady, Niall Kenney annually pitch their skills amongst a host of international hotshots. Also chasing their dream of a place on the Tour from larger golf playing population’s. The statistic of the players on tour reflect that reality and so this year it is vital that the Irish representation improves.

Last year only Kevin Phelan made it. 

To be fair the Waterford man is a product of the US scholarship system and has been a talent waiting to happen for some years. Current indicators confirm he is on his way and the hurdle of a return to Q School this weekend hopefully just a formality.

As far back as 2009 only Simon Thornton and Gary Murphy got through. With both losing their cards  within the season and having to return again. Unsuccessfully.

David Higgins has regained and lost his card frequently in recent years. The last time being 2011 and now surviving since on accumulated exemptions. No doubt 2015 offering fewer events having failed at Second Stage this year. Perhaps closing the chapter on a professional golf with career earnings of over one million Euro.

A decade ago Damien McGrane broke through and has retained his place ever since 2003. Gareth Maybin made it from the Challenge Tour in 2008 with Michael Hoey also getting through the final stage in 2008. Then Shane Lowry skipped school, never looking out of place in the big time after earning an exemption following the 3 Irish Open win in 2009 at Baltray, Doing so as an amateur.

Undoubtedly at Qualifying School the uninitiated face a level of intensity alien to their daily life on either the Irish PGA Region, PGA EuroProTour or in gold club pro ams. The step up needed is not easy given it is impossible to replicate that dog eat dog atmosphere at PGA Catalunya. As hopefuls of all ages and creeds fight for their livelihoods.

For neophyte tour card chasers it requires a discipline that perhaps can only be gained by long seasons on the Challenge Tour. 

More recent years have highlighted that even maintaining exemptions for Irish players on the satellite tour is no easy feat. But forms a vital apprenticeship as Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer and others can attest. Or the 2010 Challenge Tour winner Edoardo Molinari proved. The Italian having become a household name after his first season on the main tour that saw him also play a pivotal role in the 2010 Ryder Cup.

In fairness, there are others that have also been successful with names such as Jose Felipe Lima, Nicolas Colsaerts, Rhys Davies and Peter Whiteford coming to mind. None more successful than Davies who within his first year reached 15th in the Race to Dubai, and spent five days with Ryder Cup Captain, Colin Montgomerie, around Celtic Manor in 2010. 

However as golf is not a fairy-tale and such are the twists in the sport that Davies returns to reclaim his playing rights this weekend after a number of barren seasons. Those days of a promising protégé now a distant memory. 

In Ireland Colm Moriarty, Jonathan Caldwell and Gareth Shaw know it is not that easy either and the so called failure at Q School is a reality that can dent even the strongest ambitions. Walker Cup pedigree or not.  Taking the best of playing talent along with it. Golf is completely equitable in sharing bad news about the European Tour cards. 

Other Irish players of the same era, Stephen Browne and Alan Murray, making the decision to pursue other careers and bring more certainty to their lives.  Happy to abandon the annual ritual of tour school. Undoubtedly the toughest mental challenge there is in the sport of golf. 

However there is a developing group that one hopes one day soon will get fulfil their calling. They should include Ruaidrhi McGee, Niall Turner and Niall Kearney. 

But it requires patience, diligence and above all money. The latter being the scarcest commodity these days and the one that could end dreams instantly. In summary the cavalier days of registering for Q School should be over as the beyond the First Stage it is a serious business. Anyone not fully prepared should just save their entry fee.

The career of Philip Walton epitomises what that odyssey can become. The Dubliner having made the pilgrimage first in 1999 - only to follow it in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004* - when he regained his card for one year. Then a return 2005 and then finally in 2006. 

Today he plays the European Senior Tour where he automatically qualifies having been a three time winner in Europe. His eye distracted on a few occasions by qualification for the much more lucrative Champions Tour. Which as yet has proved unfruitful.

This week all five Irish challengers are not novices, with the youngest Kevin Phelan a veteran of one gruelling European Tour season. With two top five finishes. 

Gareth Maybin, Peter Lawrie, Simon Thornton carrying enough combined experience that the nerves won't be a worry. Rather the quality of the shot making to battle the contrasting demands of the Stadium and Tour courses at PGA Catalunya.

For Michael McGeady the heady ambitions of someday making it on the tour, for at least one season, maybe closer than we imagine. he is not encumbered by memories of the past in Catalunya. 

So there is no reason to fear that any of five this weekend is not fully prepared. The reality is that all five making the final twenty five spots is a mathematical impossibility. But then again we said that about an Irish player ever winning a major after Fred Daly.

Then look what happened.

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