u EUROPEAN TEAMS: Jonathan Caldwell blasted his way into the record books at Western Gailes on the Ayrshire coast in Scotland yesterday as Ireland eased into the quarter-finals of the European Amateur Team Championships.
The 23-year-old from Clandeboye in Northern Ireland, in his last year at South Alabama University, covered the rugged, 6,899-yard links in a blistering six-under-par 65.
It was an amateur course record, beating by one stroke the 66 set only two hours earlier by England's David Horsey.
But more significantly, it equalled the lowest score recorded on the course - by former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher in final qualifying for the British Open Championship at Turnberry in 1986.
One of the highlights of the round was an eagle three on the 498-yard sixth hole, where a drive and five-iron took Caldwell to within five feet.
Rory McIlroy followed up his blistering 67 of Tuesday with a 69 - and that was despite missing two putts of a mere foot on the outward half. "It was just a case of a lapse in concentration,"said McIlroy.
Two over par after 10 holes, the 18-year-old European individual champion from Belfast finished strongly.
An eagle three at the 562-yard 14th - the longest hole on the course - was the highlight. After a fine drive he hit a two-iron to within six feet of the pin.
Birdies followed at the 15th and 16th.
With five of the six cards counting on each day, Ireland posted a total of 712 - two over par - which put them in fourth position.
Today they will face Sweden in the first matchplay round for a place in the semi-finals.
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u US TOUR: Tiger Woods said his appetite for victory was as sharp as ever after becoming a father 15 days ago.
The world number one returns to competitive golf today in the AT&T National, where he will face additional pressures while playing host to his first event on the PGA Tour.
Asked about his goals for the invitational tournament at Congressional Country Club, Woods said: "To have a fantastic event where people have a fantastic time and great memories; to thank our men and women for serving our country; and getting a W."
Woods, whose Swedish wife, Elin, gave birth to daughter Sam Alexis on June 18th, will be hunting a 58th career W, or win, on the PGA Tour.
The 12-time major champion heads a strong field of 120 that includes five of the world's top six and nine of the leading 12 on the tour's money list.
World number two Phil Mickelson makes his first appearance since missing the cut in last month's US Open at Oakmont, where he battled a sore left wrist.
u CADDIE MOVE: Darren Clarke's English caddie Billy Foster insists he has not been approached to work full-time with Tiger Woods next season.
New Zealander Steve Williams has caddied for Woods for eight years. The rumour is Williams may step down and that Foster would be the replacement, having impressed Woods when he carried his bag for the 2005 Presidents Cup.
"A few rumours are flying around, but I've not been approached," said Foster.
u CHAMPIONS TOUR: If the practice rounds are any indication, high winds will ensure Whistling Straits lives up to its name this week for the US Senior Open, which starts today on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Des Smyth tees off from the first tee today at 8pm Irish time in the company of Gil Morgan and Craig Stadler, while Mark McNulty goes off 20 minutes earlier joined by Seve Ballesteros.
