US TOUR:US Masters champion Bubba Watson was six shots off the early clubhouse lead after his opening round in the defence of his Zurich Classic title in New Orleans. Watson carded a one-under-par 71 to sit well off the pace of fellow American pair Ken Duke and Cameron Tringale.
The 33-year-old had four birdies and three bogeys in an up-and-down round on his return to action following his play-off success at Augusta earlier this month.
Duke, in contrast, racked up seven birdies in a flawless round, while Tringale had eight, including four in a row from the 15th hole, and one bogey.
Sweden’s Daniel Chopra and another American Steve Stricker were one shot behind after going round in 66, while American pair Ben Curtis and John Rollins were in the clubhouse on five under.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell was back on three under. Starting on the back nine, he did not have a par until his 10th hole as he carded eight birdies and five bogeys.
BONALLACK TROPHY: Europe are on course for a landslide victory at this year's Bonallack Trophy after dominating Asia-Pacific in Portugal yesterday. Rathmore's Alan Dunbar and co have one hand on the cup having extended their 6-4 overnight lead to 13.5-6.5 following the second set of foursomes and fourballs at Monte Rei Golf Country Club.
They now need just three points from today’s 12 singles matches to clinch a third successive victory in the prestigious team event.
Just as on day one, Dunbar and playing partner Rhys Enoch were in unbeatable form yesterday. The European pair defeated Korea’s Soo-Min Lee and India’s Khalin Hitesh Joshi 3 and 1 in the morning foursomes, before accounting for Seenappa Chikkarangappa of India and Natipong Srithong of Thailand 3 and 2 in the afternoon fourballs.
HELEN HOLM TROPHY:Slieve Russell star Leona Maguire will attempt to regain the Helen Holm Trophy today when the Scottish Ladies' Open Strokeplay Championship gets under way at Royal Troon. Fresh from her impressive eight-shot victory at the Irish Girls' Open Strokeplay Championship, the 17-year-old, runner-up in Scotland last year, is looking to win back the crown she first claimed in 2009.
Maguire heads a strong Irish presence which also includes internationals Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush), Aedin Murphy (Carlow) and Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) as well as under-18 caps Jessica Carty (Holywood), Jean O’Driscoll (Muskerry) and Chloe Ryan (Castletroy).
