Els and JP Fitzgerald to go their separate ways
BRITISH OPEN: Ernie Els has decided to make a change of caddie in the build-up to next month's British Open Championship, ending an 18-month partnership with Irishman JP Fitzgerald.
The world number three is many people's favourite for Royal Birkdale now that Tiger Woods is out. His Open record includes one win and three seconds and in the last two years he has finished third and fourth.
Els is next in action at the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on July 10th-13th, the week before his bid for a fourth major. There is speculation that he could be back with long-time caddie Ricci Roberts, with whom he won at Muirfield in 2002.
Kenney claims first seniors title
ILGU SENIORS: Sheena O'Brien Kenney from the Grange holed from 20 feet for birdie on the final green to beat Curtis Cup captain Mary McKenna from Donabate in the final of the Irish Senior Women's Close Championship at Hollystown Golf Club, yesterday.
O'Brien Kenney started brightly with a win at the first but turned one down after McKenna won the fourth and seventh.
She levelled the match on the 10th but went one down again when McKenna holed from 12 feet for birdie at the next.
A par on 15 was good enough to level the match and a par-saving chip and putt on the 17th hole saw both players reach the 18th all square.
Both found the green but after McKenna's putt came up short, O'Brien Kenney holed from 20 feet to claim her first Irish Senior Close title.
Cink eagles way to early lead
US TOUR: Stewart Cink fired a six-under-par 64, that included two eagles, to take the early halfway lead at 10-under-par 130 in the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Cink leads by one from holder Hunter Mahan who fired a flawless seven-under-par 63 earlier in the day.
The 26-year-old American, making the most of receptive conditions on an overcast day at the TPC River Highlands, piled up seven birdies for a nine-under-par total of 131.
That left him one ahead of compatriot Brad Adamonis, a rookie on the 2008 PGA Tour, who carded a 68. Tour veteran Kenny Perry returned a 67 to lie a further stroke back at seven under, level with fellow Americans Heath Slocum and Tom Pernice junior.
Amateur Ciganda leads in Tenerife
LET TOUR: Spanish amateur Carlota Ciganda fired a second round of six-under-par 66 to lead by a shot at the halfway stage of the Tenerife Open at Golf Costa Adeje.
The 18-year-old from Pamplona finished the day on nine-under-par 135, one ahead of Finland's Ursula Wikstrom, who had a four-under-par 68 and Russian Maria Verchenova, who had a three-under-par 69.
Ciganda, the 2007 British Amateur Champion, is hoping to become the fifth amateur tournament winner in the 30-year history of the Ladies European Tour.
The last amateur to win on the tour was another talented teenager: South Korean Amy Yang, who claimed the 2006 ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia at the age of 16. Ciganda had one bogey, at the par-four ninth-hole on her front nine, and posted an outward total of 37. However she ripped up the back nine with seven birdies - and five in a row from the 11th hole - for an inward total of 29.
Horsey hits the birdie trail
CHALLENGE TOUR: England's David Horsey took route 66 to the top of the leaderboard on day two of the Telenet Trophy on the European Challenge Tour yesterday.
Six birdies in a flawless round of 66 for 11-under-par 133 at Limburg Golf and Country Club in Houthalen, Belgium, saw Horsey overhaul France's Jean Pierre Cixous, who sits one shot back on 10-under-par 134.
An identical round from Horsey's playing partner and compatriot Simon Robinson saw him finish on eight-under-par 136, and gave him every chance of repeating his maiden success at last week's SK Golf Challenge.
Michael McGeady is best of the Irish on 138 after a 68 while Michael McDermott is one-shot back after a 69.
Michael Hoey missed the cut by one after a 73 for 143 as did Dan Sugrue after a 72 for 144, Peter O'Keeffe 150 and Brian McElhinney, on 159, after a 73.
New role for Harrington
NEWS: Pádraig Harrington has taken a lead role in a film - to promote good etiquette in golf.
The 10-minute film is available as a free download from the R&A website and will be promoted to national golfing bodies around the world as a teaching aid.
"Good etiquette promotes enjoyment of the game for all players," said Harrington.
"I am very pleased to play a part in the education process for new golfers, young and old alike."
David Rickman, Director of rules for the Royal and Ancient Club, stated: "Padraig is a role model for good behaviour, on and around the golf course.
"This film will help new players to understand the true meaning of sportsmanship in golf."
There are also contributions from several other European Tour professionals including Nick Dougherty, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey, as well as archive material from The British Open, Ryder Cup and Women's British Open Championship.
