The Irish golfer signed for a one over par final round of 71 to finish 13 under par for the tournament, one stroke clear of overnight leader Joakim Lagergren on a dramatic final day.

The 27-year-old climbs to fourth in the season-long Road to Mallorca Rankings with a win and was delighted to come out on top after going shot-for-shot with Lagergren across the entirety of the weekend.

“I’m over the moon and kind of lost for words,” he said. “I’ve waited a long time for this and for it to happen, with all my family out here today, is just amazing.

“The support out there calmed me down. Knowing that they were all there to support me made a difference.

“Joakim is a fierce competitor and a proven winner, and he’s won here before, so I knew not to take him lightly. I’m just pleased because I putted terribly today but I managed to get the job done.”

Purcell started the day one stoke behind Lagergren, but after mixing two birdies with five bogeys on the front nine, made the turn searching for a spark to kick-start his round.

An eagle on the par five tenth did just that, with Purcell joining Lagergren at the top of the leaderboard, before a dropped shot at hole 13 saw him one adrift with five holes to play.

Purcell then birdied the 15th, and when Lagergren bogeyed the same hole, a two-shot swing saw Purcell move into the solo lead for the first time on the final day, before he parred his way home for a memorable victory.

“On 18, it was the calmest I felt all day”

“I knew it was going to be tough but that there were chances on the back nine,” he added. “It was a big momentum swing when I held the putt on the tenth for eagle.

“I missed a chance on 14 to get back level, but made a nice birdie to go one ahead on 15 and then played really good golf coming in.

“On 18, it was the calmest I felt all day. After a few loose shots at the start of the day, I got into the flow of things and felt very in control and knew the job I had to do.

“Every time you can have a win, you can shoot up the Rankings, but there’s still a lot of golf to play over the rest of the year.”

Englishman Jack Senior posted a three under par round of 67 to finish in third, with Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist two shots further back in fourth. Dane Hamish Brown and South African Robin Williams finished in a share of fifth on eight under par.

Purcell now fourth in Road to Mallorca rankings

Purcell climbs 20 places to fourth in the Road to Mallorca Rankings on 683 points, while Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen remains in pole position on 1,061 points. Englishman John Parry sits second on 1,007, and Spaniard Joel Moscatel remains in third place on 870 points.

The Road to Mallorca continues next week with the Irish Challenge taking place at The K Club in Co Kildare from August 1-4.

Select scores after round four with Irish players in bold:

267 C PURCELL 66 65 65 71,
268 J LAGERGREN (SWE) 63 71 61 73,
269 J SENIOR (ENG) 67 69 66 67,
271 R SCIOT-SIEGRIST (FRA) 65 71 65 70,
272 R WILLIAMS (RSA) 69 69 67 67, H BROWN (DEN) 69 68 66 69,
273 L BJERREGAARD (DEN) 68 68 70 67, A QUIROS (ESP) 68 69 67 69, P PINEAU (FRA) 69 66 67 71,
274 R MCGOWAN (ENG) 68 72 67 67, A HALVORSEN (NOR) 72 69 66 67,
275 J FREIBURGHAUS (SUI) 72 69 68 66, O GUILLAMOUNDEGUY (FRA) 67 69 72 67, A CHESTERS (ENG) 68 72 66 69, W BESSELING (NED) 70 64 71 70, T HUNT (WAL) 67 69 68 71,
276 M LINDBERG (SWE) 68 72 71 65, M GIBOUDOT (FRA) 73 68 67 68, L VAN MEIJEL (NED) 71 70 66 69,

281 G HURLEY (IRL) 67 70 69 75,
282 J CALDWELL 70 71 71 70,

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The Irishman fired a bogey-free five under par round of 65 in testing conditions to reach nine under par for the week. He is three clear of Dane Jeppe Kristian Andersen, Swede Joakim Lagergren and Wil Besseling from the Netherland’s who share second.

The 27-year-old will go into the weekend in a commanding position, with his accuracy off the tee rewarded as wind and rain hit Co Antrim.

“I’m very pleased,” he said. “Any time you can go bogey-free it’s very nice, and especially round here. It’s quite demanding, so I did a good job.

“Me and my caddie did a great job. There were a lot of tricky wind conditions, a lot of crosswinds, but we were hitting good shots.

“I kept myself in position off the tee, and I think it didn’t feel as difficult as it probably should’ve because of that.”

Road to Mallorca

Purcell has enjoyed a strong first half of the Road to Mallorca season, recording three top ten finishes in 13 starts to sit 24th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings.

With the top 20 earning promotion to the DP World Tour at the end of the year, Purcell is pleased to be in contention once more as he targets an elusive first Challenge Tour title.

“Any time you’re up there, it gives you that extra motivation to keep it going for four days,” he added. “I’ve been playing nicely this year so hopefully there’s more of the same tomorrow.

“After missing the cut last week I made sure to tell myself my game wasn’t too far away. It felt very close and it’s just about piecing it together for four rounds.

“I know golf is well supported up here, and I love playing in front of people, so I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Select scores after round two [Irish players in bold]:

131 C PURCELL 66 65,
134 J LAGERGREN (SWE) 63 71, J ANDERSEN (DEN) 65 69, W BESSELING (NED) 70 64,
135 P PINEAU (FRA) 69 66,
136 R SCIOT-SIEGRIST (FRA) 65 71, O GUILLAMOUNDEGUY (FRA) 67 69, J SENIOR (ENG) 67 69, L BJERREGAARD (DEN) 68 68, P L?NGFORS (SWE) 65 71, T HUNT (WAL) 67 69,
137 J THOMSON (ENG) 67 70, A QUIROS (ESP) 68 69, R KARLBERG (SWE) 67 70, H BROWN (DEN) 69 68, G HURLEY 67 70, S MAZZOLI (ITA) 67 70,
143 S THORNTON 72 71
144 J MURPHY 75 69
146 D MCELROY 73 73
147 M POWER 77 70
148 R MULLARNEY 75 73, A MAGUIRE 73 75
151 D MULLIGAN 70 81
C O’ROURKE 79 WD

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Irish amateur golfer Liam Nolan has qualified for this month’s Open Championship at Royal Troon after an impressive performance at the 36-hole qualifying event at Dundonald Links. Nolan finished tied-second, carding rounds of 69 and 70 to achieve a five-under-par score, securing his place in the major tournament.

Clutch Performance at Dundonald Links

Nolan, a Walker Cup star from Galway, demonstrated nerves of steel by holing a critical five-foot par save on the 18th hole to avoid a four-way play-off for the final two qualifying spots. “It’s incredible,” said Nolan, who was tied with Spain’s Angel Hidalgo, just three shots behind England’s Sam Hutsby in the race for four places at Royal Troon. “I mean, I can’t really wrap my head around it. I’m just happy I holed that five-footer or so on the last. Still getting over that.”

First Major Championship

Nolan is excited about the opportunity to compete in his first major championship. “It’s an amazing opportunity to play my first major and I just can’t wait for it now,” he said. “It’s going to be crazy. I feel like I’ve had a very good amateur career, but this is a nice one to tick off, playing in my first major. It’s hard to process the fact that I’m going to The Open. I’m looking forward to everything – the crowds, it being in Scotland, the Home of Golf, and, yeah, I just can’t wait to go.”

Overcoming Challenging Conditions

Reflecting on the qualifying rounds, Nolan mentioned the challenging weather conditions. “It was a long day with a lot of different weather conditions, so you had to adapt all day and just keep the ball in play as best as possible,” he said. He made four birdies and a bogey in his opening 69 and, while he was inside the top four after following birdies at the fourth, ninth, and 11th with a bogey at the 16th, he had to make par saves at the 17th and 18th to secure his dream ticket.

Confidence Under Pressure

Nolan displayed remarkable confidence, especially during his crucial par putts. “I was actually quite confident,” he said of his par putt at the last. “I actually had a six-footer on 17 and another one again on 18. I was putting well, especially in the afternoon. So I just said I’d give it a roll. And if it didn’t go in, I’d still have a chance to get to Troon.”

4 feet down the hill on 18 for the Irish amateur Liam Nolan to post 5 under and looks to have a very good chance to look up a spot in the open championship now @TheOpen @acaseofthegolf1 @galwaygolfclub pic.twitter.com/T45GL4uLWJ

— Irish Amateur golf info (@amateur_info) July 2, 2024

Preparing for The Open

Nolan, who will join fellow Irish golfers Tom McKibbin and major winners Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, and Shane Lowry at Royal Troon, is eagerly preparing for the event. “A major championship is the pinnacle of golf. So to get to play (in an event with) Tiger, Rory McIlroy, all the best players in the world, yeah, that’s as good as it gets.”

Recent Form and Future Plans

Nolan, who recently graduated from the University of Galway with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, felt confident about his form going into the qualifier. “I did believe,” he said. “I played very well in the European Amateur last week, I was trending really nicely. My ball striking was very good, which is so important around a windy links. To not be looking for your golf ball is so important. So I knew if I rolled in a couple of putts during the day, I’d have a great chance. And that’s what happened.”

Upcoming European Team Championships

Before The Open, Nolan will represent Ireland in next week’s European Amateur Team Championships in Italy. “I finished college at the end of April, and I’m happy to be just focusing on golf at the moment,” he said. “We have the European Team Championships next week in Italy with Team Ireland, and I’m really looking forward to that week. We got bronze last year, so hoping to go a couple better this year. And then it’s on to Troon so I really have to do a lot of planning now. It’s good planning, though, fun planning. I’ll enjoy doing that. I will just try to sort out my next three weeks as well as I can. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Other Notable Performances

Hutsby shot rounds of 67 and 69 at Dundonald to top the qualifiers by two shots from Nolan and Hidalgo, who eagled the last from 130 yards as Scot Jack McDonald came through a three-way playoff for the final spot.

Graeme McDowell shot rounds of 72 and 73 to miss out by three shots at Royal Cinque Ports, where Matthew Southgate topped the qualifiers by three shots on six-under from Southport’s Elvis Smylie and Spanish amateur Jaime Montojo. Ireland’s Alex Maguire played alongside Sergio Garcia at West Lancashire but missed out by nine shots as they were put on the clock. Garcia, aiming for his 100th major, failed to qualify by two strokes. Niall Kearney shot rounds of 69 and 71 at Burnham and Berrow to finish three shots outside a playoff for two spots, with Justin Rose and amateur Dominic Clemons topping the leaderboard on eight-under.

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Can Scottie Scheffler win another title at Augusta? Or will there be a surprise champion in the making Perhaps one of the biggest questions is whether Rory McIlroy can finally end the wait for win number five, which would see him complete the career grand slam.

Best Odds of Winning the Masters

Unsurprisingly, Scheffler is one of the favourites to win the event according to Masters 2024 odds, as he currently tops the table with a price of 8/1. Northern Irishman, McIlroy, is joint-favourite behind the American with regards to golf betting, as he’s also priced at 8/1 to secure his first-ever win at Augusta and if he can play to his strengths, this could certainly be his year.

The defending champion, Rahm, is the second favourite at 10/1 and all eyes will be on whether or not he can recapture the form which saw him win last year.

Rory McIlroy’s Record at Augusta in the Masters

The four-time major winner has endured a rather Jekyll and Hyde relationship with the first major championship of the year since he made his debut back in 2009.

In the 2011 edition, McIlroy had a wonderful chance to secure his first big title as he led by four shots heading into the final day, yet he suffered a Greg Norman-esque collapse on Sunday. McIlroy ended up shooting a round of 80 and finishing outside the top ten in what was a learning curve for the youngster.

43 days until golf: McIlroy’s meltdown at the 2011 Masters https://t.co/URMxA9yDWr pic.twitter.com/IeDSaETXT9

— theScore PGA (@theScorePGA) April 29, 2020

Following his win at the 2014 Open Championship, McIlroy came into the 2015 Masters with a chance to secure the grand slam. He ended up finishing tied for fourth and over the next three years, he secured top-ten finishes, but victory eluded him.

His best chance during that time came in 2018, as he was within three shots of Patrick Reed heading into the final round, yet a missed eagle chance at the par-five second half cost him dearly and he finished in a tie for fifth.

A missed cut in 2021 was followed by his best finish yet, a second-place effort which saw him hole out from a green-side bunker on the 18th and it proved that he had the game to conquer Augusta.

Masters 2022: Top five shots at Augusta from Rory McIlroy to Scottie Scheffler https://t.co/lDixyAmzIa pic.twitter.com/jX3fx3mdxC

— SPORTS CIRCUS INT. (@SPORTSCIRCUSINT) April 11, 2022

Another missed cut arrived last year, but with top-ten finishes in the following three majors, the 34-year-old is edging ever closer to that elusive fifth major championship.

If he can put together four consistent rounds, there’s no doubt that he’ll be amongst the leaders on the back nine on Sunday, but he will then have to remain calm and take his opportunities, something he has failed to do at times in Georgia.

Once he wins one green jacket, the floodgates will open.

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Harold Varner III aims to redeem himself from last week’s performance, while Paul Casey seeks to make up for his performance last year. Both made impressive starts at LIV Golf Las Vegas, each shooting 7-under 63s to claim the first-round lead on a chilly Thursday at Las Vegas Country Club. They hold a two-shot advantage over Jason Kokrak and a trio of RangeGoats GC players – captain Bubba Watson, Thomas Pieters, and new acquisition Matthew Wolff.

Dominating the Individual Leaderboard

In the 2024 season opener at Mayakoba, Varner finished last on the individual leaderboard in his debut for 4Aces GC after being traded by the RangeGoats. Determined to bounce back for his new team, Varner stated, “I’m here to play good golf, and as a competitor, I think that’s what you’re supposed to do.” He backed up his words with a bogey-free round, starting with consecutive birdies and keeping his tee shots out of trouble, hitting 13 of 14 fairways. This performance tied for his second-lowest score since joining LIV Golf.

Paul Casey is trending

“If I get that confidence back, there is no reason why I can’t shoot plenty of low rounds” #LIVGolf @Crushers_GC pic.twitter.com/ncITeLw0k3

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) February 8, 2024

Revival of Confidence

As for Casey, his 63 tied for his lowest score in 52 career regular-season rounds on LIV Golf. This impressive feat followed a challenging 2023 season plagued by various ailments, where he never finished inside the top 20 in points in the last 12 regular-season starts. The extended offseason allowed him to heal, entering 2024 with high hopes and renewed confidence. He showcased his skills on Thursday with six birdies during an eight-hole stretch and strong iron play, hitting 15 of 18 greens.

Rejuvenated RangeGoats

Similar to Varner, Watson and his revamped RangeGoats team struggled in the season opener at Mayakoba. However, they made a strong comeback on Thursday, with Watson, Wolff, and Pieters each shooting 65, and Uihlein tied for seventh after his 66. This performance painted the leaderboard pink, the RangeGoats’ primary color, reflecting their improved form and determination.

EAM COUNTING SCORES
Standings and counting scores for Thursday’s opening round of the team competition at LIV Golf Las Vegas. The three best scores from each team count in the first two rounds while all four scores count in the final round. The team with the lowest cumulative score after three rounds wins the team title.

1.RANGEGOATS GC -15 (Watson 65, Wolff 65, Pieters 65)

2. CRUSHERS GC -14 (Casey 63, Lahiri 66, DeChambeau 67)

T3. SMASH GC -13 (Kokrak 65, Gooch 66, McDowell 66)

T3. 4ACES GC -13 (Varner III 63, Johnson 67, Perez 67)

T5. FIREBALLS GC -8 (Ancer 67, Puig 67, Chacarra 68)

T5. LEGION XIII -8 (Hatton 67, Surratt 67, Rahm 68)

7. TORQUE GC -7 (Muñoz  67, Niemann 68, Ortiz 68)

T8. RIPPER GC -6 (Smith 67, Herbert 68, Leishman 69)

T8. IRON HEADS GC -6 (Lee 68, Kozuma 68, Vincent 68)

10. CLEEKS GC -5 (Meronk 67, Bland 69, Samooja 69)

11. HYFLYERS GC -4 (Ogletree 67, Tringale 69, Mickelson 70)

12. MAJESTICKS GC -3 (Stenson 68, Westwood 69, Poulter 70)

13. STINGER GC -2 (Schwartzel 69, Grace 69, Burmester 70)

PLAYERS EXPECTING LOW SCORES: Paul Casey is happy to be the co-leader after shooting a 7-under 63. But the Crushers GC veteran didn’t expect to find himself at the top of the leaderboard with that score.

Although the first round was played under sunny skies, an unseasonably high amount of rain in the past week left Las Vegas Country Club in soft conditions and primed for low scoring – especially with preferred lies.

“You almost didn’t want to have that low round because you didn’t want that asterisk with lift, clean and place,” Casey said. “I was surprised scores weren’t quite as low as I thought.”

Given that Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann shot a 59 last week on an even tighter Mayakoba course, the talk in the locker room centered around the possibility of another sub-60 score.

“There’s a deep score out there,” said Crushers Captain Bryson DeChambeau, who owns LIV Golf’s lowest score of 58 shot last year at Greenbrier. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a 59 this week. It’s definitely doable.”

GOATS HANGING OUT: On Tuesday, the RangeGoats had a team outing to cheer for the local NHL team, the Vegas Golden Knights. Last month, they took in a game together to watch the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and the NBA’s Miami Heat. Last week in Mayakoba, they stayed in the same villa.

“When we travel and we do things, I want to have fun. I don’t want to just sit in a hotel room and be bored or mad at my bad scores,” explained Captain Bubba Watson. “I want to get out there and just go have fun with the guys and go watch some sports. I mean, that’s what we do, go do some fun things. So far it has worked out that we’ve been able to do some cool things and some fun things together.”

Added Matthew Wolff: “To be able to go off the course, regardless of good or bad and know that guys are going to support you and you’re going to be able to laugh and talk and kind of just hang out, it’s relaxing and refreshing. It’s new for me.”

One thing they will not do together this week is attend Sunday’s Super Bowl. Watson is headed to Athens, Georgia, that day to attend a celebration involving his wife and the 25th anniversary of her college basketball team. “Why did they pick Sunday of the Super Bowl? I don’t know,” he joked.

KOKRAK’S HISTORY WITH LVCC: Jason Kokrak doesn’t live in Las Vegas, but he’s quite familiar with Las Vegas Country Club. His aunt and uncle live next to one of the holes, and Kokrak estimates he’s played the course 50 times during trips to visit his relatives.

“I spent a whole heck of a lot of time here at this golf course growing up,” Kokrak said. “… I know the golf course fairly well. They made some changes 10 or 15 years ago but definitely remember most of the golf course.”

And it’s not just the golf course that Kokrak likes about Vegas. The first of his three wins on the PGA Tour came at The CJ Cup at Shadow Creek in 2020. “I feel comfortable here in Vegas,” he said.

KOEPKA LEANS ON 3-WOOD: Smash GC Captain Brooks Koepka cracked his driver while warming up Thursday, so he put his backup in play to start the round. But unhappy with its performance after some early errant tee shots, Koepka utilized his 3-wood off the tee for the majority of his round to shoot a 2-under 68.

TEENAGER LEADS IN DRIVING DISTANCE: 19-year-old Caleb Surratt of Legion XIII led the field in driving distance Thursday with a 319.3-yard average. He also had the fourth-longest drive of the day at 323.6 yards in shooting a 3-under 67.

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In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, Joaquin Niemann etched his name into LIV Golf history with a stunning victory at Mayakoba. Overcoming a tumultuous start marred by a two-stroke penalty, Niemann showcased unwavering focus and resilience, ultimately prevailing in a heart-pounding playoff against seasoned competitor Sergio Garcia. The Torque GC captain’s journey from adversity to triumph exemplifies the essence of grit and perseverance that defines the sport.

Legion XIII’s Debut: A Spectacular Arrival

Meanwhile, Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII made an indelible mark in their inaugural appearance, capturing the team title with a commanding performance that left fans and pundits alike in awe. Despite Rahm narrowly missing the individual playoff, his leadership and strategic prowess propelled Legion XIII to a resounding victory, signaling their arrival as formidable contenders in the LIV Golf landscape.

Tales of Resilience: Surratt’s Star Turn

The triumph was not without its moments of tension and drama. From Niemann’s early setback to Rahm’s near miss, the competition at Mayakoba was a rollercoaster of emotions, captivating audiences with its unpredictability and intensity. Yet, amidst the nail-biting suspense, there emerged stories of resilience and redemption that added depth and intrigue to the spectacle.

Rising Star: Surratt’s Courageous Comeback

One such tale is that of Caleb Surratt, the 19-year-old prodigy who emerged as a breakout star in his professional debut. Despite facing adversity with a four-putt triple bogey, Surratt displayed remarkable poise and determination, rallying with five consecutive birdies to secure vital points for Legion XIII. His courage in the face of adversity symbolizes the indomitable spirit of the sport and serves as inspiration for aspiring golfers worldwide.

Celebrations and Reflections: The Essence of Victory

As the champagne flowed and celebrations ensued, the triumph of Niemann and Legion XIII underscored the captivating drama and sheer unpredictability that defines the world of professional golf. With each swing and each putt, these athletes showcased the unyielding pursuit of excellence that transcends mere competition, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of golf history.

COUNTING SCORES
Standings and counting scores for Sunday’s final round of the team competition at LIV Golf Mayakoba. The three best scores from each team count in the first two rounds while all four scores count in the final round. The team with the lowest cumulative score after three rounds wins the team title.

1. LEGION XIII -24 (Hatton 64, Surratt 67, Vincent 69, Rahm 70; Rd. 3 score -14)

2. CRUSHERS GC -20 (Lahiri 67, DeChambeau 68, Howell III 68, Casey 68; Rd. 3 score -13)

3.TORQUE GC -17 (Niemann 70, Muñoz 70, Ortiz 70, Pereira 70; Rd. 3 score -4)

4. STINGER GC -16 (Oosthuizen 67, Grace 68, Schwartzel 70, Burmester 70; Rd. 3 score -8)

5. RIPPER GC -16 (Jones 66, Smith 67, Leishman 70, Herbert 71; Rd. 3 score -10)

6. FIREBALLS GC -13 (Garcia 66, Ancer 67, Chacarra 71, Puig 71; Rd. 3 score -9)

7. SMASH GC -12 (Koepka 68, Gooch 68, McDowell 72, Kokrak 73; Rd. 3 score -3)

8. CLEEKS GC -9 (Bland 67, Kaymer 67, Samooja 70, Meronk 73; Rd. 3 score -7)

9. MAJESTICKS GC -7 (Westwood 69, Horsfield 69, Stenson 70, Poulter 71; Rd. 3 score -5)

10. RANGEGOATS GC +2 (Wolff 68, Uihlein 71, Watson 73, Pieters 73; Rd 3 score +1)

11. HYFLYERS GC +2 (Steele 70, Ogletree 70, Tringale 71, Mickelson 74; Rd. 3 score +1)

12. 4ACES GC +3 (Johnson 67, Perez 71, Reed 73, Varner III 77; Rd. 3 score +4)

13. IRON HEADS GC +6 (Na 70, Kozuma 71, Vincent 74, Lee 75; Rd. 3 score +6)

ROUND 3 NOTES

LEGION XIII MAKES GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION: Jon Rahm and his Legion XIII team are LIV Golf’s first expansion team, and Rahm himself said earlier in the week he wasn’t sure how quickly they would jell as a team.

As it turned out, it only took three rounds for them to become the ninth different LIV Golf team to win a trophy.

“For us to do what we did and perform and get the win, I’m glad that we proved it to ourselves and everybody that we’re a team to reckon with,” Rahm said.

Said Tyrrell Hatton: “I didn’t know what to expect. For all of us, these are new experiences. I really enjoyed the week, and winning as a team is good fun, and hopefully we can keep that going.”

FIRST INDIVIDUAL TITLE FOR TORQUE: Last year, Torque GC won a LIV Golf-best four-team trophies but were shut out in the individual competition. Captain Joaquin Niemann said he was glad to break through on that front, but he missed being able to celebrate with his team.

Torque started the final round with a five-shot lead but settled for third place after a cumulative score of 4 under.

As he conducted his winner’s interview, Niemann said he felt a “little bit alone.”

“It’s always fun to have the other three – Mito (Pereira), Sebastián (Muñoz) and Carlos (Ortiz) on my side here, especially in interviews,” he said. “It makes it a little bit more fun. It would’ve been nice being with them, throwing champagne.

“But I think it’s still good. We still had a good finish.”

GARCIA GLAD FOR CHANCE TO WIN: Although Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia didn’t win the playoff against Joaquin Niemann, he was happy to at least be in contention – especially since he’s still working on things with his game.

“If you had told me before the week started that I would’ve been in this position, I would’ve taken this for sure,” Garcia said. “I wasn’t feeling great. My swing is still not feeling great. To be able to hang in there as much as I did and almost win without feeling very comfortable at all is a positive.  I need to get better, but I still managed to give myself a chance.”

BLAND RECORDS LIV GOLF’S 4TH ACE: Cleeks GC’s Richard Bland posted the fourth hole-in-one in LIV Golf history at the 152-yard par-3 8th in the final round. It’s the 11th ace in Bland’s career. The Englishman turned 51 on Saturday.

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The Co Down native claimed a maiden Rolex Series crown at this event 12 months ago but came into the weekend ten shots back before a stunning third-round 63 put him into the final group on Sunday.

McIlroy turned a two-shot deficit into a four-shot lead with six holes to play before a bogey on the 13th gave the chasing Adrian Meronk, a fomrer Irish Open winner, and US golfer Cameron Young, a glimmer of hope.

Meronk reduced the lead to one in the eighth Race to Dubai tournament of the season, as he signed for a 71. Rory McIlroy held his nerve down the back stretch and signed for a 70 and a 14 under par total, to give him a one-shot victory in the $9 million tournament.

“I didn’t really think about that during the round”

Rory McIlroy reacts to his historic fourth win at the Dubai Desert Classic pic.twitter.com/ISjBFLP2C1

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) January 21, 2024

“It’s a great start to the season,” McIlroy admitted. “I started well last year with the win here. A couple of little things still to work on but these weeks are great. You learn a ton from them and obviously great to get the competition and come out on top as well.

“I thought on Friday night, I thought ten under for the weekend, I would have a really good chance to win. I shot 11 and ended up winning by one.

I’ve played the game long enough to sort of know how these things are going to go. Thankfully I played the golf I needed to and it’s just incredible to get my fourth win here at the Emirates.

“The pivotal point for me came on the eighth and ninth hole – making two threes there, that sort of set me up to try to control it on the way in.

“I made that one blunder on 13 and made bogey there but felt like I steadied the ship well over the last few holes and it was one of those days where there wasn’t a ton of fireworks just because the course was so difficult. I held on as best as I could and thankfully no one around the top of the leaderboard made much of a run.”

American Young finished with a 74 for 12 under, two shots ahead of Canadian Aaron Cockerill, Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal and Chilean Joaquin Niemann.

The win takes McIlroy past Ernie Els’ hat-trick of Desert Classic victories and hands him his third Rolex Series triumph, having won three of the last five blue riband events.

The Irish golfer becomes just the second player to successfully defend this title after Stephen Gallacher lifted the Dallah Trophy in 2013 and 2014 and makes it six wins in Dubai with his two victories at the DP World Tour Championship.

That winning feeling pic.twitter.com/BGOzUCg6F8

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) January 21, 2024

Discussing his historic victory, the Holywood golfer said:

“Just to think like 18 years ago, and what it meant to come here and play in this event, to be sitting here, you know, having won it four times, and all the great experiences that I’ve had in Dubai and the friends that I’ve met and everything sort of along the way, it’s always been a place where I come back to and reminisce about my career because I really feel like it’s where everything started. 

“So it’s amazing to sit here. The first Desert Classic, I took a media credential and I walked inside the ropes to follow Tiger and Ernie and Thomas Bjorn, and then just to think about even the arc of that: Thomas Bjorn was my Ryder Cup Captain; I ended up buying Ernie Els’s house; I’ve become really good friends with Tiger Woods. It’s just amazing to think back on the last 18 years and sort of where I find myself. 

!I certainly don’t take anything for granted, and I always appreciate the opportunity to be able to do what I do.”

The 34-year-old has started the defence of his Race to Dubai Rankings with a runner-up finish and a win as he looks to become Europe’s Number One for a sixth time, moving to the top of the Rankings for the 2024 title and the International Swing.

Both Tom McKibbin and Pádraig Harrington finished the tournament on 282.

Select Final scores
 274 R MCILROY) 71 70 63 70, 
 275 A MERONK (POL) 68 66 70 71, 
 276 C YOUNG (USA) 67 64 71 74, 
 278 P LARRAZ?BAL (ESP) 73 69 70 66, A COCKERILL (CAN) 71 67 72 68, J NIEMANN (CHI) 69 72 67 70,

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In a recent update, golf legend Tiger Woods shared that he’s “zero issues” with his surgically repaired right ankle. However, while this aspect of his health is on the mend, other injury concerns continue to persist. Woods, who is 47 years old and boasts 15 major championship victories, has been on the sidelines since his injury-related withdrawal from the third round of the Masters in April.

Ankle Fusion Surgery: A Turning Point

Following his Masters setback, Woods underwent fusion surgery on a bone in his ankle to address post-traumatic arthritis stemming from a previous fracture in the joint. Offering insight into his condition, Woods told the Associated Press, “That pain is completely gone. My ankle is fine. Where they fused my ankle, I have absolutely zero issue whatsoever.” This positive development in his recovery represents a significant step forward.

Challenges Beyond the Ankle

Despite the success of the ankle surgery, Woods faces ongoing challenges related to injuries in the surrounding areas. He acknowledges, “But all the surrounding areas are where I had all my problems and I still do. So you fix one, others have to become more hypermobile to get around it, and it can lead to some issues.” This statement sheds light on the complexity of managing injuries for professional athletes, especially one as accomplished as Woods.

Caddying and Future Golf Plans

In a recent display of his commitment to the sport, Woods was seen caddying for his son Charlie at the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship. Reflecting on this experience, he shared, “I’m pretty sore after caddying for four days. It was a flat course, thank God.” This underlines his dedication to golf, even in a different role.

Woods has also participated in the PNC Championship in recent years, where major champions partner with their children or parents. The upcoming PNC Championship is scheduled between December 14 and 17, and Woods may opt to use a cart instead of walking the course, given his recovery status.

Venturing into High-Tech Golf League

In a recent venture, Woods and fellow golfer Rory McIlroy launched an indoor “high-tech league.” Woods has taken it a step further by announcing his co-ownership of one of the league’s teams, Jupiter Links Golf Club. He intends to play for the team when the league kicks off in January 2024, showcasing his continued involvement and passion for the sport in innovative ways.

Tiger Woods’ journey, marked by triumphs and challenges, remains a compelling narrative in the world of golf. His resilience in the face of injuries and commitment to the sport continue to captivate golf enthusiasts around the world.

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Séamus Power’s tumultuous 2023 takes another unfortunate turn as he is compelled to withdraw from this week’s prestigious Horizon Irish Open, hosted at The K Club. This setback further compounds what has been a challenging year for the Irish golfer.

Injury Strikes Again

The touring professional representing The K Club, Séamus Power, endured an injury-riddled season. In July, a hip injury compelled him to withdraw from the Genesis Scottish Open. Despite his resilience, Power teed off at The Open at Royal Liverpool the following week but fell short of the cut line.

Mystery Surrounds the Injury

Details regarding Séamus Power’s current injury remain undisclosed by the DP World Tour, leaving fans and pundits speculating about the nature and severity of his setback.

A Disheartening Playoff Finish

Power’s woes continued as he found himself tied for last place in the first FedExCup playoff event, the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis, just three weeks later. His struggles persisted in the BMW Championship, where he finished 48th out of 50 participants, dashing any hopes of earning a Ryder Cup wildcard spot for the upcoming Rome event.

A Brief Glimpse of Success

Notably, Séamus Power had appeared poised to contend for a coveted spot on the Ryder Cup team after a triumphant victory at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in October of the previous year. This victory propelled him to a career-high world ranking of 28th, igniting hopes of international glory.

Despite these setbacks, Séamus Power’s journey in the world of professional golf remains one marked by resilience and determination. As he navigates the challenges of his career, golf enthusiasts worldwide will undoubtedly be eager to witness his triumphant return to the fairways in the near future.

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Shane Lowry’s Emotion-Filled Selection and Pledge to Bring the Trophy Home

Irish golfer Shane Lowry expresses his profound gratitude for being granted a Ryder Cup wild card spot by Captain Luke Donald. Lowry’s dedication to making the most of this opportunity shines through as he vows to create unforgettable memories and help secure victory for his team.

A Stellar Roster

Lowry joins an impressive roster of golfing talents, including seasoned players like Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, and Justin Rose, as well as newcomers Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark and Ludvig Aberg of Sweden. Together, they will unite with automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, and Matt Fitzpatrick on the journey to Rome.

Captain Donald’s Praise

Captain Luke Donald’s praise for Shane Lowry is nothing short of effusive. He describes Lowry as a player “made for the big occasions” and underscores this sentiment by awarding him his fourth pick, following Fleetwood, Straka, and Rose.

Lowry’s Second Chance

This marks Shane Lowry’s second consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, as he also received a wild card from Captain Pádraig Harrington in 2021. In a light-hearted moment, Lowry humorously clarifies, “I’m not in a pub; I’m actually in a golf club.”

Recalling Past Triumphs

Lowry’s previous Ryder Cup performance was marked by one memorable win from three matches. Notably, he partnered with Tyrrell Hatton to secure a nail-biting one-up victory over Tony Finau and Harris English. Lowry’s passionate fist-pumping celebrations as he sank the winning putt on the 18th hole left an indelible mark.

A Proven Champion

Captain Donald lauds Lowry’s remarkable track record in high-stakes matches, noting his victories in the Open Championship, WGCs, and Wentworth. He emphasizes Lowry’s ability to rise to the occasion against the best players in the world, making him a valuable asset to the Ryder Cup team.

Lowry’s Love for Team Sports

Lowry’s enthusiasm for team sports shines through as he reflects on his debut Ryder Cup experience, despite facing defeats. He shares, “The experience I had in Whistling Straits, even though we got beaten quite heavily, was incredible and something I’ll remember forever.”

The Road Ahead

With the Ryder Cup scheduled to commence on September 29, followed by the singles round on October 1, Shane Lowry is determined to contribute to a triumphant team. He underscores his commitment, stating, “A lot of my big, big goals this year were getting to Rome and trying to win the Ryder Cup back, and everything over these next few weeks is going to be put into doing that, and hopefully, we can come out on top.”

As Shane Lowry embarks on his Ryder Cup journey, his unwavering passion and determination promise to play a pivotal role in creating new, unforgettable memories in this eagerly awaited matchplay tournament.

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