Golf News:Tiger Woods has become a father less than 24 hours after he narrowly missed out on golf's US Open title. The world number one's wife, Elin, gave birth to baby girl, Sam Alexis Woods, on Monday.

Woods (31) had previously said he would miss a major if it meant seeing the birth of his child. On his official website, he wrote: "Both Elin and Sam are doing well and resting peacefully. We want to thank our doctors and the hospital staff for all their dedicated and hard work."

This is truly a special time in our lives and we look forward to introducing Sam to our family and friends over the next few weeks. We thank everyone for their well wishes and continued respect of our privacy."

Woods finished a shot behind Angel Cabrera on Sunday to post second in a major for the second time this year.

It is not clear how the birth of his first child will affect his plans. He is scheduled to host a tournament in Washington, DC, from July 5th to 8th, the British Open at Carnoustie starts on July 19th, and the USPGA Championship begins on August 9th at Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa.

The past two years have been life-changing for Woods, who has won 12 majors in his career. In May last year, his father, Earl, died aged 74 after a long battle with cancer, and a month later Woods failed to make the cut at the US Open at Winged Foot.

He came back to win the British Open in July and broke down in tears on the 18th green at Royal Liverpool, sobbing on the shoulder of his caddie.

Last week, Woods talked about becoming a father. "My practice sessions are going to have to be tailored around a little bit, have to move things around," he said. "But, you know, I don't really know how my game is going to be affected by it because I've never gone through it before. All I know is that Elin and I are excited, and that this is far more important than any game of golf.

"This is an opportunity for us to raise our first child, and we're really looking forward to it."

Meanwhile, having delighted a nation by becoming the first home winner of the Irish Open for 25 years, Padraig Harrington, who missed the cut at the US Open, will turn his attentions to writing another piece of Irish golfing history at the Smurfit Kappa European Open, which will be played at The K Club, County Kildare, from July 5th to 8th.

No player has won the coveted double of the Irish Open and European Open titles in Ireland during the same season and Harrington will unquestionably enjoy huge public support as he aims to right that statistic when tournament golf returns to The K Club for the first time since last year's Ryder Cup.

Former US Open winner Michael Campbell (European Open 2002 and Irish Open 2003) and Stephen Dodd (Irish Open 2005 and European Open 2006) have both missed out on the "Irish double" by just 12 months, while Harrington has twice gone close to winning the European Open, finishing in a tie for second in 2001 and 2002.

Last year it was the turn of another Irishman, Paul McGinley, to feature strongly. McGinley had left for Dublin Airport on the Friday afternoon convinced he had missed the cut on two over par. In fact, he ended up making it on the mark and dashed back to The K Club to produce rounds of 67 and 69 for a share of fourth place overall - a result that helped him make the 2006 European Ryder Cup Team.

Both men will headline this year's Irish challenge, which also includes Michael Hoey, Peter Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, the best Irish performer in last week's US Open, Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy and 1995 Ryder Cup star Philip Walton.

The 2007 European Open will be played over the Smurfit Course with a prize fund of €3.5 million, and once again the public will enjoy the first day's play for free thanks to the "Free Ticket Thursday" initiative from Ulster Bank.

The application process for free tickets has now closed with more than 30,000 availing of the offer.

Phil Mickelson has pulled out of this week's USPGA Tour's Travelers Championship as he attempts to recover full fitness after a wrist injury.

The world number two competed in the US Open wearing a support on his left wrist and shot an 11-over-par two-round total of 151 in missing the cut.

But spokesman for his management company, has revealed Mickelson has been told not to play for two weeks.