US Tour: Darren Clarke has asked world number two Vijay Singh for help as he tries to rediscover his form. After missing the halfway cut by six shots in the US PGA Championship last week Clarke has been struggling again in practice for the NEC World Championship in Akron - the tournament he won two years ago.
He said of his swing: "I feel like an octopus, but I've just looked at the video and it actually doesn't look as bad as it feels. Vijay and I were chatting and he said a couple of things. He's always been more than willing to give me a helping hand whenever I've needed it. He's done it several times."
Stablemate Lee Westwood also offered advice when they played the Firestone course together. Clarke added:
"There's no point getting annoyed with things even if it is a struggle. Everybody goes through good times and bad times on the golf course. It's just a bit difficult for me right now."
Padraig Harrington was another to crash out early last week in what was only his second tournament since the death of his father last month.
"The good thing about this week is that there are four rounds no matter what (no cut). The more rounds I get under my belt the better I'm going to get."
Although he has won twice in America this year Harrington is only 55th on the European Order of Merit.
There are four Irish players in the Ohio field: Clarke, Harrington, Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell.
McDowell said that he is recovering well from the back injury he suffered in a car crash last month. "If it hadn't been a major last week I wouldn't have played,". he said. "I've been off the painkillers for a few days just to let my body tell me where I am up to. My physio's been doing an amazing job."
EUROPEAN AMATEUR: Teenager Rory McIlroy spearheads the home countries' challenge after the first round of the European Amateur Individual Championship at the Rinkven Club in Antwerp.
McIlroy, at 16 the youngest ever winner of the Irish Amateur title from the Holywood Club, fired a sparkling three under par 69 to share third spot two strokes adrift of leader Robin Swane, a 27-year-old Dutchman who produced a magical putting display.
McIlroy did not put a foot wrong and after a rather disappointing performance in the European team championship at Hillside earlier in the summer this latest display shows once again his true ability.
Another Irishman Mervyn Owens returned a 71 and Jamie McLeary had a 73.
Limerick's Cian McNamara took 74 while Amateur champion Brian McElhinney, Michael McGeedy and Darren Crowe were a little disappointed with their 75's.
BRITISH WOMEN'S: At Nairn in the north of Scotland Carlow's Tara Delaney leads the Irish challenge in the British Women's Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship after shooting an opening two-over par 74 to lie just two shots off the pace held by joint leaders England's Sophie Walker and Austrian Nicole Gergely.
Catherine Tucker (Limerick) shot a 75, Beaverstown's Martina Gillen a 77 while Cork's Claire Coughlan struggled with an 80 and thirteen year-old Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) recorded an 82.
BOYS' CLOSE: Boys international Niall Kearney, a Royal Dublin plus-one handicapper, shot a four-under-par 68 at Kilkeel yesterday to share the lead after the opening round in the Nissan Irish Boys' Close Championship. Kearney's superb show was matched by Portadown two-handicapper Tom Conron who included seven birdies in his sparkling round later in the day to catch the early leader.
The pair finished two strokes clear of Malone protégé Karl Gilbert with Vaughan Clarke, a three-handicapper from Cork, in fourth place after a three-birdie one-under-par 71.
MEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS: Irish Close champion, Rory McIlroy (Holywood) is one of four new caps included in the Ireland team for the Home Internationals which will be played at Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich, from 7th to 9th September.
McIlroy also won the West of Ireland Championship and the Willie Gill Award for topping the Order of Merit table.
The other three new caps are North of Ireland champion Gareth Shaw (Lurgan), Connor Doran (Banbridge) and Aaron O'Callaghan (Douglas) while Pat Murray (Limerick) makes a comeback following his last appearance in 1996.
The 11-man team also includes Brian McElhinney, winner of the British Amateur Championship and a member of the Britain and Ireland Walker Cup side.
Jim Carvill (Warrenpoint), a double winner this year in the East of Ireland and South of Ireland Championships, was unavailable for selection.
IRELAND: Darren Crowe (Dunmurry), Connor Doran (Banbridge), Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge), Pat Murray (Limerick), Brian McElhinney (North West), Michael McGeedy (North West), Rory McIlroy (Holywood), Cian McNamara (Limerick), Sean McTernan (Co Sligo), Aaron O'Callaghan (Douglas), Gareth Shaw (Lurgan). Non-travelling reserves: Seamus Power (West Waterford) and Brian O'Connor (Hermitage). Captain: Mark Gannon.
