Mark McGowan

6 days ago | irishgolfer.ie | Mark McGowan

After a mostly calm and temperate practice day, the Harry Colt Championship Links at County Sligo showed its teeth and more in the opening round of the Connolly Motor Group West of Ireland Championship. Strong winds accompanied the 138-man field from the off, but it was the afternoon wave that bore the brunt as the gusts grew stronger and constant rain was thrown into the equation.

1 week ago | irishgolfer.ie | Mark McGowan

In many ways, 2024 was a dream year for Ryan Griffin. He arrived in St. Andrews to take on the Old Course in the final event of the R&A Student Series season, knowing that a strong finish would help secure the number one ranking in the Order of Merit and book his place on the Arnold Palmer Cup team set to battle the United States at Lahinch later that year. But the week began in difficult circumstances and he arrived at the Home of Golf nursing a back injury that he’d picked up.

1 week ago | irishgolfer.ie | Mark McGowan

On a windy and testing day at County Sligo Golf Club, it was one of Rosses Point’s own that carded the best score as former North of Ireland champion Sean Flanagan’s level-par round was enough to take the honours. Despite intermittent sunshine, a stiff northerly breeze kept temperatures and scoring on the cool side, and Flanagan, representing Portmarnock Golf Club, maintained control in impressive fashion, mixing three birdies with three bogeys to fend off his nearest challengers by two strokes.

1 week ago | irishgolfer.ie | Mark McGowan

Bryson DeChambeau revealed that there were no words shared between Rory McIlroy and himself during the dramatic final round at Augusta National on Sunday, and McIlroy’s sports psychologist Bob Rotella has confirmed that it was a tactical decision. “No idea. [He] didn’t talk to me once all day,” DeChambeau told the press when they’d asked if he had any idea how Rory was feeling after failing to win in regulation.

1 week ago | irishgolfer.ie | Mark McGowan

There aren’t many things that Augusta National and the Masters Tournament Committee do wrong, but one of the lesser celebrated things they do right is having the previous year’s champion be the man to present and dress his successor in the Green Jacket.