Tralee’s Mark Gazi faces a tough challenge in his defence of Sunday’s Trade Electric Group-sponsored Castletroy Senior Scratch Cup.

The holder tees off the first with Fota Island’s John Doyle (playing off plus 6.7) and West of Ireland champion Mark Cadden in a strong 78-man field.

Demand for spots in the field was so strong that 30 players are on the waiting list.

Munster Stroke Play champion Paul Coughlan goes out just ahead of Gazi’s. Group with 2025 West of Ireland winner Dylan Holmes from Greystones and Castletroy hope Dean McMahon.

McMahon will be high on confidence after he shot a course record, six-under 66 in his second round en route to a play-off win over Castletroy’s Andrew McCormack at the first tie hole in the inaugural Limerick Scratch Cup last weekend.

McCormack is also in action, as are former Irish Amateur Close champions Pat Murray and Quentin Carew.

Castletroy Senior Scratch Cup, sponsored by Trade Electric Group, Sunday 14 June

Draw for shotgun starts at 9 am and 2.30 pm

• 1(A) Paul Coughian (Castleknock), Dylan Holmes (Greystones), Dean McMahon (Castletroy)

• 1(B) Mark Gazi (Tralee), John Doyle (Fota Island), Mark Cadden (Roganstown)

• 2 Jason Rackard (Bundody), Eoin Murphy (Dundalk), Pat Murray (Adare)

• 3 Tom Clancy (Castletroy), Neil Patterson (Baltinglass), Luke Cunningham (Galway Bay)

• 4 Robbie Walsh (Kinsale), Paraic McGrath (Galway Bay), Barry Howlin (The Heritage)

• 5(A) David Kelly (Millicent), Peter McKeever (Castle), John Kavanagh Jnr (Castletroy)

• 5(B) Jack Walsh (Kinsale), Eanna Mulhare (Birr), Fearghal O’Connell (Castletroy)

• 6 Frank Hackett (Castletroy), William Walshe (Delgany), Paddy Hussey (Castletroy)

• 7(A) Cormac O’Muirithe (Belmullet), Patrick Bermingham (Castletroy), Morgan O’Sullivan (Ballyneety)

• 7(B) Jordan Boles (Carton House), Scott O’Brien (Nenagh), Fergus Harrold (Castletroy)

• 8(A) James O’Callaghan (Ballybunion), Eoin Magill (East Clare), Jack Whelan (Limerick)

• 8(B) Luke Carey (Limerick), Diarmid Murphy (iGolf), Mark Behan (Lee Valley)

• 9 Darren Kelleher (Blarney), John Hadnett (Castletroy), Donnacha Halpin (Shannon)

• 10 Padraig Curry (Castlecomer), Ryan Lyons (Blarney), Sean Joe Rooney (Castleknock)

• 11(A) Ryan Corrigan (Wesport), Cian Adams (Powerscourt), Padraig Porter. (Ballyliffin)

• 11(B) Jason Kiely (Ballyneety), Mark Rowland (Roscrea), James O’Meara (Killarney)

• 12 Colin Woodroofe (Dun Laoghaire). Luke O’Connor (Douglas), Mark Doogue (Castleknock)

• 13 Adam Allabachani (Powerscourt), Gordan Sillett. (Ballykisteen), Ross McKeever (Castle)

• 14(A) Anton O’Callaghan (Tralee), Justin Kehoe (Limerick), Jake McMahon (Nenagh)

• 14(B) Tom Glennon (Kilkenny), James Mitten (Castleknock), Alan Moran (Castle)

• 15 Brian Doran (Millicent), Barry O’Connell (Douglas), Conor Hickey (Dooks)

• 16(A) Dara Neville (Castletroy), John P Dolan (Shannon), Lucas Lyons (Limerick)

• 16(B) Tadgh Murphy (Millicent), Luke McCan (Killarney), Conor Crudden (Newbridge)

• 17(A) David Reddan (Castleknock), Isaac Oliver (Glasson), Quentin Carew (The Heritage)

• 17(B) John William Burke (Ballyhaunis), Morgan Cain (Fota Island), William O’Riordan (Greystones)

• 18 Andrew McCormack (Castletroy), Caelan Coleman (Galway Bay), James Walsh (Kinsale)

Beth Coulter hopes her experience will be a bonus for Great Britain and Ireland in their bid to win the Curtis Cup on US soil for the first time in 40 years.

The Co Down star is the lone Irishwoman in a GB&I side at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, looking to follow in the footsteps of the 1986 team, who shocked the USA at Prairie Dunes in Kansas with Ireland's Mary McKenna, Claire Dowling (nee Hourihane) and Lillian Behan in the side.

The Kirkistown Castle and Arizona State University star (22) is one of two returning members of the GB&I side that clinched a heart-stopping one-point win at Sunningdale two years ago, and she admits that winning on US soil would be special.

"To do it once is pretty good, but to do it twice would be incredible," said Coulter, who plans to turn professional later this summer. 

"To be able to get this done on American soil would be pretty cool… It would be amazing to win going into the pro ranks."

Great Britain & Ireland ended a three-match losing streak at Sunningdale, but winning on US soil will be a massive challenge, as Behan recently recalled.

"It was 110 degrees, and we were weighed in every day," she said. "Then I got sunstroke before the singles, and I was playing with towels around my neck, drinking lots of water, the whole lot.

"The heat! Oh, my God. But the whole week was memorable. I even raised the (Irish) flag as well."

Coulter could not have asked for a better debut two years ago, when she was joined in the winning side by Aine Donegan and Sara Byrne, who are now on the Ladies European Tour.

She's hoping her experience will stand to her and her teammates, though it will be difficult with the US side boasting three players who made the cut in last week's US Women's Open at Riviera — world number one Kiara Romero (tied sixth), Asterisk Talley (tied 22nd) and Farah O'Keefe (tied 34th).

"I've definitely been passing on tips," she said. "It's a tough week. It's overwhelming, it's long, and, of course, it's very, very fun. 

"But I think being able to take that familiarity from last year into this year and pass it on even to the younger girls, like Charlotte (Naughton) coming up, she's a good bit younger than us, and putting an arm around her is important. 

"I know that's what Mimi (Rhodes), Sara (Byrne), Aine (Donegan) and Lottie (Woad) and those older girls did for us, and obviously having Catriona and (assistants) Kathryn (Imrie) and Karen (Stupples) back is pretty cool, it's pretty special. 

"They're pretty good at getting us riled up and instilling that belief in us."

As for the course, she admits that Bel-Air Country Club will require lots of strategy. 

"I think it's probably a little different than what it was in November [when we visited as a group], but it's been great to be back here, really nice over the last couple of days to practice and really get ready. 

"I think the greens are probably a little different to what I've played at college, a little firmer. I think it's probably a little bit trickier, even from the front to the back is a little different. 

"The back's a little bit more intricate; you can't really stand up and smash drivers. There are a couple more wedges to use on the front, but the course is absolutely insane. The greens are really fast, even today, and we're really excited."

Captain Matthew will be key for the visitors, and Coulter knows she can be a difference-maker for them.

"I think it's just the way Catriona talks, it's her positivity," she said. "It's the belief that she instils in you. It's so cool to be around someone like her, and she's so good at passing it on. I think that was one of the things that happened at Sunningdale. 

"We all came in a little bit timid, and the Americans on paper were a lot better. I think our belief grew and grew as the week went on, and I think there's a little bit of that this week."

Coulter plans to play in "a couple of pro events" as an amateur and then return to the team fold by competing in the European Ladies' Team Championship at PGA National Slieve Russell in Co Cavan in July:

"To play in the European teams in Ireland is going to be pretty special," she said. "To get to do this this week, obviously in a year where I'm turning pro, and then doing that in Ireland is cool. 

"I'll then hopefully turn pro just before the Women's Irish Open [in August]. You look at the Irish girls out on the Ladies European Tour right now, they're all kind of travelling together, and that's the girls I grew up with. 

"I grew up playing team sports, so it's something that I've always kind of held close to me, being around people. So, I think weeks like this are my most favourite. I'm really looking forward to it this week."

The Curtis Cup gets underway on Friday with morning fourballs, followed by afternoon foursomes on Friday and Saturday before the singles on Sunday.

Shane Lowry is hoping to jumpstart his stalled season at the RBC Canadian Open and head to next week's US Open with a spring in his step.

The Offaly man joins Pádraig Harrington and Séamus Power at TPC Toronto, desperate for a result that Paul McGinley reckons he needs to bury the ghosts of Sunday disappointments this year.

Final-round mistakes cost the 2019 Open champion a chance to win the Dubai Invitational, the Cognizant Classic, and potentially the Masters.

But Lowry is motivated to put those behind him in Canada and win for the first time in front of his youngest daughter, Ivy.

"It's gotten a bit slow," Lowry said of his season so far. "I had a good start to the year, and I certainly need something to kind of jump start the rest of my year, and there wouldn't be a better week than this, so hopefully it happens this week.

"I've always loved coming up to Canada, you know. I think it's a great time of year to come here and get in a really good tournament week before the US Open as well. 

"I've played pretty well here over the years and remember having a little bit of a chance here coming down the last few holes last year, so hopefully I can do it again this year and give myself a chance."

His eldest, Iris, saw him win at Portrush, so he's keen now to lift a trophy for Ivy.

"They're here this week," Lowry said.  "At the Cognizant. I was probably most devastated for that reason, especially for my little one. She's never been there when I've won a tournament, so t's a big motivation of mine. 

"That's the reason I get up every morning, and they're here this week. I'm only a couple of miles down the road, so it'd be easy."

McGinley believes Lowry can be a factor at Shinnecock Hills and reckons a good result is all he needs to get back to his best.

"Shane's always a great links player, we know that," McGinley said in a teleconference to promote USA Sport's US Open coverage. 

"He's very good in the wind, but he has not shown much form since he had that finish in the Cognizant.

"I think that's affected him psychologically. He hasn't quite got back on the horse yet. But I think he will. 

"It's just a question of getting confidence through the validation of better results, but he's certainly going to be a factor in the style of conditions that we're going to have."

As for Harrington, Rory McIlroy and 46-year-old Graeme McDowell, McGinley was upbeat about their US Open hopes.

While McIlroy is not driving the ball well, McGinley reckons the wider fairways that await him at Shinnecock Hills could play into his hands.

"I think he was in the bottom 10 per cent of fairways hit at the PGA Championship, and still finished top 10, and second last [from the tee] at the Masters and won, so he's finding ways of doing it," McGinley said. 

"What he's proved over the last few years is he's much better than he's ever been at playing difficult golf courses. He used not to have the patience to be able to do that."

As for 54-year-old Harrington, who tied for 18th in the US PGA, McGinley reckons the veteran will relish the conditions if he's putting well.

"I walked nine holes with him at the PGA Championship, and I don't think I've ever seen him hit the ball as well, including when he was at his very best in winning majors," he said. 

"He'll love the fact that it's probably going to be a windy, firm, fast golf course.

"I don't know a whole lot about Graeme's game, as he's playing on LIV, but we know the style of player he is.

"Being from Portrush, he's going to love it. He's a very good links player, a good chipper and putter, and a great, great competitor. 

"So, who knows what the golfing gods have in store for him as he comes into the twilight of his career."

Meanwhile, Leona Maguire will bid to get back on track after her US Women's Open disappointment when she partners American Lindy Duncan in the Dow Championship in Michigan.

The Co Cavan star missed the cut at Riviera, but she'll relish the team aspect at Midland Country Club, where players will play foursomes and fourballs with the top 33 teams making the cut.

Lauren Walsh, fresh from her career-best third-place finish in the ShopRite LPGA two weeks ago, makes her debut in the event alongside Celine Herbin of France.

On the HotelPlanner Tour, Ronan Mullarney, Max Kennedy, Liam Nolan, John-Ross Galbraith, Gary Hurley and James Sugrue tee it up in the HotelPlanner Tour's Interwetten Open in Austria.

Speculation about big-name announcements is part and parcel of every Amgen Irish Open build-up, but when the venue is Trump International Golf Links Ireland – Doonbeg, there’s only one name driving interest — US President Donald Trump.

While two-time Irish Open winner Jon Rahm looks likely to confirm his return after a seven-year absence and Bryson DeChambeau has not yet been ruled out for what could be a mouth-watering battle with Rory McIlroy and Co, there is no confirmation yet that President Trump will be at his west Clare resort from September 10-13.

Golf-mad Trump wants to be there, but all that was confirmed at the official media day is that, should he make the trip, the already significant disruption to the local community will increase exponentially.

“I suppose the main question is President Trump,” the resort’s General Manager Joe Russell admitted.  “We have no confirmation of that yet.  We do know he wants to come, but the way the world is, you never know what's going to happen.  But we have not received any confirmation yet.”

A total attendance of around 75,000 is expected to swarm over links, which has been transformed twice since it opened in 2002 and will offer the likes of defending champion McIlroy and Major-winning stars like Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington a 6,950-yard par-70 test with the redesigned first, the new 18th hole and a revamp to all 54 bunkers the biggest recent changes

Park and ride will be the order of the day in this remote corner of west Clare, but should the US President decide to drop in to press the flesh, even briefly, Russell and his staff believe the community will welcome the chaos that accompanies a political figure who was roundly booed when he became the first sitting US president to attend the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

“I can't speak for the entire community, but I say this, based on the reaction which I'm having since the announcement [of the event coming], I think people are welcoming the disruption, you know, whatever shape that's going to take,” he said.

“The situation as relates to President Trump, there's nothing we can do to control what's going on in the world. But one thing I can say to you is that since the Trump Organisation has taken over this resort, it's been an upward trend, the people in the community who are benefiting, both socially and economically and every other way from the resort, there's a very positive vibe here towards the Trump Organisation, and that's as much as we can control.”

Whatever happens with President Trump, it’s clear that this year’s Irish Open will have a very strong field with Masters champion McIlroy set to defend his title against a field that already includes Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Seamus Power, Tom McKibbin, Luke Donald, Tyrrell Hatton, the Hojgaard twins and the likely presence of Rahm, who will be keen to match Seve Ballesteros and win a third title.

“The Amgen Irish Open is one of the preeminent national opens on the Tour,” said Championship Director Paul Gillmon.

“Sunday, we are sold out, and Saturday gets close to that and pushes into the midweek as well. I'm anticipating as strong an attendance as we've had in the past few years.”

As for Trump, Gillmon believes interest in McIlroy and Co will win the day in the end, whatever transpires.

“Obviously, the question is very valid,” he said of the divisiveness Trump creates.

“People have opinions. I think in this particular instance, the curiosity of seeing all the changes to the Doonbeg golf course.

“A strong driver, I think if Rory keeps doing what he's doing and people want to see him come back and defend his Irish Open, for everyone that was there at The K Club, the scenes around 18 were pretty incredible for an Irish Open. I think that's what's driving the impact of Irish golf, irrespective of any associations that you agree or disagree.

“I think golf is the thing that's winning, and seeing one of the top links golf courses in Ireland hosting an Irish Open is fantastic.”

As for the links, redesigned by Dr Martin Hawtree in 2016, the par-five first and 13th holes will become par fours while the new18th is a big improvement on its predecessor.

“The amount of work done in three or four months was astronomical,” said Head of Golf, Brian Shaw, who reckons Rahm would love the challenge.

“Seve has won three Irish Opens,” he said. “Jon Rahm around here would be phenomenal, a great watch, as obviously would be Shane and Rory.

“But I think Rahm would absolutely love this place. His shot‑making, things like that. He has such a touch around the greens, and I personally think he’d be one of the biggest draws if we managed to get him.”

Lahinch is expecting a star-studded field for the 124th South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship with a host of potential Walker Cup stars expected to tee it up from July 22-26.

Great Britain and Ireland captain Dean Robertson will name his ten-man side after the championship, and he’s made it clear that a big performance in the ‘South’ will be worth its weight in gold when it comes to making the team to face the USA at Lahinch from September 5-6.

"I'm looking for form players, looking for winners in the team," Robertson said. "Who's to say the winner of the South of Ireland isn't a Walker Cup player this year?”

Co Louth’s Stuart Grehan, who won the ‘South’ in 2015 and recently captured the East of Ireland, will be among the home players fancied to make Robertson’s side.

Grehan followed in the footsteps of previous South of Ireland winners such as John Burke, JB Carr, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, when he joined clubman Gavin Tiernan in the Great Britain and Ireland side that lost to the USA at Cypress Point last year.

Pierse Motors Volkswagen will continue its sponsorship of Ireland’s oldest Championship.

Gary Pierse, Managing Director of Pierse Motors, said: “Our partnership with Lahinch Golf Club and the South of Ireland Championship has gone from strength to strength over the past ten years and we are delighted to continue to support this prestigious tournament.

“I am sure this year’s championship will be another huge success, especially with it being played just five weeks out from the Walker Cup.”

John Gleeson, Captain of Lahinch Golf Club, added, “The members of Lahinch, and the entire local community, always look forward to the week of the South.

“Last year’s championship was one of the most memorable ever, with our own Jonathan Keane becoming the first homegrown player to win the South in 57 years. ]

“With the Walker Cup following fast on the heels of the South, this year’s championship field promises to be one of the best ever assembled.”

The closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday, 24 June, and Dave Prendergast, Chairperson, Munster Region Golf Ireland, is excited about what’s in store.

“The South of Ireland Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious championships in the world and we wish all the competitors well when the tournament commences in a few weeks,’ he said.

“The roll of honour of past winners truly reflects the high esteem in which the South of Ireland is held by both the players and supporters of amateur golf.”

Nelly Korda horseshoed in a par putt from just under three feet to claim the 81st US Women's Open at storied Riviera Country Club and claim her second Major win in a row.

"A nice ice cream swirl to cap off the day," Korda said after a dramatic final day in Los Angeles. "Why did I leave myself such a long putt?"

She closed with a two-under 69 to win on eight-under 276 — the same total that gave Ben Hogan the US Open at the same venue in 1948 in his comeback from a near-fatal car crash — to edge out England's Charley Hull and Mexico's Gaby Lopez by one stroke.

A year after tying for second at Erin Hills, 27-year-old Hull took the outright lead for the first time when she knocked in a nine-foot birdie on the par-five 17th before going on to hole out from two feet 10 inches for her 19th LPGA win, the first two majors of 2026 and her fourth Major victory.

It was a thrilling end to a dramatic final day that saw Hull follow a Saturday 65 with a 67 to set the target before Lopez birdied the last from 15 feet to shoot 68 and join the English star at seven under.

In the end, Hull had to settle for her fifth Major Championship runner-up finish.

In Gee Chun, the 2015 champion, got to nine under through 11 holes before back-to-back bogeys on the 12th and 13th derailed her bid for a fourth major, and she finished solo fourth on six under. 

"When I entered the back nine, all [caddie Jason McDede] and I were talking about was one shot at a time," said Korda, who was tied for 56th after a first-round 73. 

"Not getting too ahead of myself. Not looking at the leaderboard, seeing what other people were doing. It was just a shot at a time."

Korda's driving improved dramatically over the weekend thanks to a grip change suggested by her sister Jessica. But it was her short game that won her the title.

"My most stressful part of the golf course [was] on Thursday," Korda said. "I just kept hitting these drives out right, out right, and out right, and I kept telling J, I can't compete on this golf course if I'm not in the fairway. 

"Like you cannot stop it on these greens. Am I just going to continuously just depend on my short game? Which I did throughout the whole week"? I did depend on my short game."

Her birdie at the 17th, where he fist pumped after making her nine-footer for birdie, left her needing par at the 18th to win.

She hit a brilliant drive and found the green, but left her 35-footer far shorter than she wanted.

"I wish that putt was closer," Korda joked. "It makes it really cool to walk up to see the iconic golf, the clubhouse and everyone sitting around cheering me on. 

"I had to, honestly, a couple of times, tell myself, okay, stay in the moment, stay in the moment, because I was dreaming, I was dreaming of hoisting the trophy a little too early. And I kept reverting back, I'm like the job's not done, the job's not done, yeah."

Rory McIlroy saw positive signs but headed back to London last night, insisting he still has work to do to be ready for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.

The Masters champion closed with a four-under 68 to tie for 12th on four under in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, eight shots behind JT Poston (72) who beat Ryan Gerard (68) with a par at the second play-off hole..

While he didn’t quite achieve his goal of contending for Jack Nicklaus’ tournament, he will spend the next six days working at his Wentworth base to get ready for the third Major of the season at a venue where diabolical green complexes will be a challenge.

“It was sort of like two steps forward, one step back,” the world number two said after a round that began with five birdies in his first six holes before petering out.

“I actually felt like I played some of my best golf on Friday afternoon, and we just got tough conditions, and it was just hard coming in.

“Then yesterday, I felt like I left a few out there, and then today as well, after the fast start, it would have been nice to keep that going, but I wasn't quite able to keep the momentum that I had on that front nine.

“But overall, not a bad week, got some good stuff out of it, and you know, I've got a week to prep and get ready for Shinnecock.”

The world number two started with three birdies in a row, parred the fourth, then birdied the fifth and sixth before dropping a shot at the par five seventh when his attempted recovery from greenside rough went straight under the ball and barely moved.

Another shot went at the short 12th before he followed a birdie at the 14th with four pars to finish.

Picking out the positives, he said: “I’d say my iron play was better, wedge play was good. Off the tee still wasn't where I want it to be.

“Thankfully, the fairways at Shinnecock are a little wider than they are here, so I still need to work on how I'm hitting it off the tee, but everything else, putting, felt pretty good for the most part.

“As I said, iron play and wedges were pretty nice, so I’ll just try to keep getting a little bit better each and every day, heading into Shinnecock.”

As for his driving, he said: “I get a little bit underneath it, and then I'll release it, and then it'll overturn a little bit. I have to have to try to get the club back out in front of me, but then when it gets out in front of me, if I do get it there, then it's about having the right release pattern on the way through.”

It was a case of what might have been in Ohio for Shane Lowry, who closed with a one-over 73 to finish on one under par.

The Clara man birdied the fifth and sixth before making an eagle three at the seventh following a sensational 250-yard approach to just 11 feet.

A top 10 finish was on the cards but he lost momentum around the turn, dropping four shots in a row from the eighth and another with a three-putt at the par-three 16th to finish tied foe 22nd on one under.

Athenry golfer David Kitt secured his first championship win in the Murray Timber Group Connacht Men’s Stroke Play Championship at Galway Golf Club.

The 26-year-old, who finished tied for third in this event when it was played in Portumna in 2024, is the first Galwegian to claim the Connacht Stroke Play since Sam Murphy three years ago.

Kitt had a near miss at this venue in 2017 when he lost out to Jamie Fletcher (Warrenpoint) in the final of the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship.

But a couple of weeks after a Barton Shield success in Galway, and despite a double-bogey opening hole, he followed up a brace of 68s with a 70 for a one-under par total and a one-shot victory.

“Nothing changed (after the first), it was just one hole,” said Kitt.

“I knew I had time and the conditions were tough, I’d been striking the ball well all week. I knew if I just stuck to doing that, I’d been in the shake up.

“And it means everything, that’s why we’re practising. It’s a first championship win at any level. I’m delighted.

“There was great support from Athenry and the locals around here too.”

Bangor golfer Lewis Gowdy looked to have played himself out of contention with a disappointing 76 in the second round on Friday, but he bounced back this morning.

He began his round with a birdie at the first and had four more on his front nine, before two on his back nine for a stunning round of 63 and the clubhouse lead on level par.

Kitt was one shot behind at that stage, he began with that double-bogey and despite a bogey at the fifth, he was able to steady things on the front nine.

He had five straight pars until birdies at 12 and 13 and that separated him at the summit, with two putts enough to secure the win on the 18^thgreen.

“We won the Barton Shield here two weeks ago, so to do the double is great,” said Kitt.

“Over the years between Inter-Club and other championships, Galway is such a great venue and they’re always willing to host championships, which is brilliant.

“The course was in such great condition, it’s a pleasure to play.”

View the final scores here

Thirteen golfers will benefit from grants worth more than €375,000 via the 2026 Golf Ireland Professional Scheme, funded by Sport Ireland.

Each of the 13 players will receive €30,000 to support them in becoming established players on the main international tours, such as the European Tour, Ladies European Tour, US PGA Tour, and LPGA Tour.

This year’s beneficiaries include Lauren Walsh, Sara Byrne, Conor Purcell, Max Kennedy, Mark Power, Annabel Wilson, James Sugrue, Anna Foster, Áine Donegan, Ronan Mullarney, David Carey, John Ross Galbraith and Liam Nolan.

Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue said: “I would like to congratulate and wish all thirteen players selected for the scheme the very best of luck for this year and beyond.

“May you all go on to great success in your careers in professional golf. I believe it vitally important that we continue to invest in sport at all levels, and that we support projects such as the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme to enable our elite, high performance golfers to excel in their chosen field.”

 Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly said: “This funding is vital for enabling our players to perform at the highest level around the world. We are excited to see where their seasons lead and the role they will play in inspiring future generations of golfers in Ireland. The support from Sport Ireland helps them to reach their goals.”

Golf Ireland High Performance Director Neil Manchip said: “We are delighted to receive the funding from Sport Ireland to support our professional programme. It goes a long to help the development of our professionals making their way in the various tours.”

Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “Sport Ireland's investment in the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme reflects our commitment to ensuring Irish athletes have the resources they need to compete at the highest level. Over 25 years, we have seen this scheme deliver real results on the world stage, and the 13 golfers benefiting in 2026 represent the continuing strength of Irish golf at international level.”

Golf Ireland Professional Mark Power said: “The Golf Ireland Pro Scheme provides me with great support throughout the season. The funding and access to invites is a massive help toward giving myself the best opportunity to compete throughout the year.”

Golf Ireland Professional Sara Byrne said: “The Golf Ireland Pro Scheme has been a massive help with the transition from amateur to pro. The financial aid has been a massive part, as that is the number one thing to have to take care of with travelling expenses. The availability to coaching is also a great for whatever sort of help we need.”

With the Ryder Cup returning to Ireland next year, the Government has committed €8.5m in financial support for key professional golf tournaments, including the Amgen Irish Open, KPMG Women’s Irish Open, HotelPlanner Tour, and OFX Irish Legends Tour events, enhancing Ireland’s profile on the international stage.

Sport Ireland has provided funding to the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme since 1999. The scheme also gives players direct funding, assistance with tournament invitations, access to support staff, and access to the state-of-the-art facilities at the Golf Ireland Academy.

Golf Ireland Pro Scheme members can also avail of warm weather training facilities, mentoring from current or former tour professionals and sports medical support through Sport Ireland.

In the time since the Scheme was established more than €5m in grants has been allocated to almost 120 aspiring young golfers.

For more information on the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme visit the Golf Ireland website here.

Full criteria for the scheme can also be found here.

Esker Hills golfer Ella Cantwell said it was the culmination of a lot of hard work as she became the inaugural winner of the West of Ireland Women’s Amateur Open Championship.

The 17-year-old Offaly native equalled the course record with her opening round 65 yesterday morning and she closed out her third round with eight birdies in a brilliant 67.

Scores

Cantwell finished eight shots clear of Hannah Lee-McNamara (Royal Portrush) and Aideen Walsh (Lahinch) on 18-under-par to make history in Castle Dargan.

She now follows in the footsteps of Shane Lowry who claimed the men’s equivalent in Co Sligo in 2008.

“Definitely a nice one to have with Shane, great for the club,” said Cantwell.

“Everyone looks up to Shane in Esker Hills. I’ve got honorary life membership with him this year. It’s just really nice to have him from the club.”

Cantwell began her weekend with a phenomenal 65, which included five birdies and two eagles. She followed that up with a solid second round of 72 and that gave her a one-shot lead ahead of Walsh.

Cantwell did not look fazed during her final round and she pushed on with three birdies around the turn, to move to 15-under-par. It was a sensational surge and Lee-McNamara mounted the biggest challenge with birdies on eight, nine and 12. Lee-McNamara had double-bogeyed the seventh straight after an eagle, which halted her momentum.

But it was Cantwell who took up a four-shot advantage down the closing stretch, that lead became seven when she reeled off three birdies in a row between 12th and 14th holes.

Cantwell birdied 17 too and despite an errant tee shot on the last she recovered to sink the bogey putt and put the seal on an emphatic win.

“I was seeing my coach on Friday and we just fixed something and I started swinging the club pretty well,” said Cantwell.

“My ball was going left and it was because my left hand was too strong, so I weakened it a little bit and just started hitting the ball straight.

“I was coming here to compete, I wanted to play steady golf and try my best to compete at the level that’s here and I did.

“I was delighted with my first round but I knew I still had to go out and play as well as I could and today I fought as hard as I could and I was absolutely delighted.

“It’s nice to see hard work and all that paying off. I’ll definitely enjoy this.”

Pádraig Harrington does not rule out a future Ryder Cup captaincy for LIV Golf rebels like Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, or Ian Poulter as Luke Donald prepares to face a USA squad out for revenge at Adare Manor next year.

Donald will be looking to become the first man to captain three consecutive winning teams in Co Limerick, where McDowell had hoped to captain Europe before he joined LIV and golf entered a bitter civil war.

Until the rules are changed, McDowell and fellow Ryder Cup stars like Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia remain ineligible for the captaincy, having failed to retain continuous membership of the DP World Tour.

But Harrington is not ruling them out in the future, given the changing landscape in professional golf and LIV's uncertain future following the decision by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund to end its funding of the tour at the end of this season.

"Lee Westwood was lined up to take the captaincy after me," he said at his home club, Stackstown, where he shot a career-best, bogey-free six-under 66 to win the €15,000 TileStyle PGA Pro-Am by two strokes from Simon Thornton and Nicky Grant as part of the club's 50th anniversary celebrations.

"You've got Poulter, and you've got Graeme. There would have been a lot of competition there. Time heals a lot, so you know, maybe we'll see those guys and captains down the road."

As for the PGA of America's decision to reappoint losing 2018 captain Furyk for Adare Manor, Harrington believes Europe will do well not to underestimate the American as he tries to lead the USA to its first away win in 34 years.

The former US Open winner (56) was a surprise choice to succeed Keegan Bradley as captain and take the reins again.

"Jim's a great guy, for sure," Harrington said. "I think he's very competitive. He's quite hard. The whole US team wants revenge, and they're definitely going to leave no stone unturned, I would think. 

"Obviously, they can't do much with Adare, so it's all about themselves, how they'll manage themselves. 

"There are some ebbs and flows when it comes to teams. They didn't seem to have their best team last time, which usually means they'll be stronger next time around. 

"Obviously, the separation in the game of golf hasn't helped the US Ryder Cup team figure out who their best players are.

"But in another year's time, they'll have a lot of that figured out, so you certainly wouldn't be underestimating Jim and his team, that's for sure.

"He's a tough, tough, tough character."

Harrington was pleased to escape the practice ground and play competitive golf before heading to the US in a week to see Shinnecock Hills before the US Open, then warm up for the season's third Major at the RBC Canadian Open.

"I was trying hard today," he said at the course where he grew up. "I certainly wanted to break the 69, which I think is the lowest score I've ever shot here. 

"Maybe I need to take a few more risks and beat Michael McDermott's course record of 63, but there was also one side of me making sure that I didn't shoot a high number as well."

In Austria, Kota Kaneko held his nerve to secure his first DP World Tour title at the 2026 Austrian Alpine Open presented by Kitzbühel Tirol.

The 23-year-old, who topped last season's Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit to earn his DP World Tour card, chipped in at the 16th for birdie after a weather delay and carded a three under 67 to win by two shots from Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia and American Davis Bryant on 18 under.

As Bryant bogeyed the 18th to shoot 65 and finish alongside Gouveia on 16 under, Kaneko hit the stands behind the 18th green, but his ball stopped in the thick rough by the water hazard.

"I just can't believe it, I didn't think I would win, and I'm still very surprised," Kaneko said.

"On the 16th, I was just trying to make par. I knew I hit it hard, but it went in, so I was lucky. Sometimes you need things to go your way out there.

'I tried not to think too much about the weather delay after the restart. I managed to calm down and get into a good rhythm, so the stoppage worked out well for me.

"On the 18th, I knew I hit the board, but I knew it didn't go in the water, so I was just happy it didn't find the water."

On the HotelPlanner Tour,  Liam Nolan moved up to 26th in the Road to Mallorca race for 20 DP World Tour cards when he tied for seventh in the Challenge de España at Isla Canela Links.

The Galway man recovered from bogeys at the second and third and shot a four-under 68 to finish five strokes behind South Africa's Ryan van Velzen on 12 under.

James Sugrue shot 70 and Mark Power a 74 to share 44th on four under while Max Kennedy's 76 left him 59th on one-over, a shot better than John-Ross Galbraith, who shot 73.

Kildare’s Lauren Walsh took a massive step towards retaining her LPGA card when she finished a career-best solo third in the ShopRite LPGA powered by Wakefern in New Jersey.

The Castlewarden rookie (25) was languishing at 158th in the Race to CME Globe standings after making just three of her first seven cuts.

But the touring professional for The Island potentially turned her season around at Seaview Hotel & Golf Club near Atlantic City, carding rounds of 70, 69 and 67 to finish just two shots behind France’s Celine Boutier on seven under.

The former Wake Forest University star (25) pocketed $133,34, the biggest cheque of her career, and jumped to 53rd in the Race to CME Globe standings, all but securing top 100 status and her card for 2027.

It was also a positive week for Leona Maguire ahead of this week’s US Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club and also for Stephanie Meadow.

Maguire (31) closed with a bogey-free, three under 68 to finish joint ninth on four under, albeit in one of the weakest events on tour given that Charley Hull, who missed the cut, was the only member of the world's top 10 in action.

It was just her second top 10 of an erratic LPGA season marked by her battle to bed in swing changes she's making with her new coach, Sean Foley.

The Co Cavan star won $38,302 and moved up two spots to 26th in the season-long standings.

Meadow (34) shot 68 to finish 21st on two under to make her first cheque of the season and claim 137th in the standings.

As for Boutier, she came from four shots behind South Korea’s Soo Bin Joo, carding a five under 66 to win by a shot from Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol on nine under.

“To have a chance to win today is definitely something very special," said the 32-year-old French player who won the ShopRite LPGA five years ago.

"I think it's a great tournament, very special for me, so really excited to be able to have another win here."

“I feel like my game has turned around the last few weeks. I could see it coming together, and I definitely did not expect it to come together this week and today.

"But I'm super excited to be back in the winner's circle."

Stuart Grehan enjoyed one of the greatest days of his golfing life when he aced the 17th and closed with a sensational 65 en route to a record aggregate and a six-shot win in the East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open at Baltray.

The 33-year-old Offaly man became the first County Louth member to win the title since Finbarr Ronan 41 years ago, triumphing on 17-under 271 from Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty, who set the previous championship low of 273 two years ago.

“It’s class, really cool,” said Grehan, who went into the final day a shot behind Galgorm Castle’s Joshua Hill before carding a five under 67 in the morning to lead by two strokes from the Ballymena man at lunch.

“I’m really, really happy. Chuffed having great crowds out there today and being a member here and having the support with family and friends, it feels really cool.

“I did feel a lot of pressure coming in this week. I was playing nicely but you always have that extra pressure playing at home.

“To go out and perform, I’m really proud of myself… To get it done and cap it off the way I did was pretty special.”

While he bogeyed the first in the final round and Rafferty closed with a 65 to finish on 11 under, Grehan produced a ball-striking masterclass to claim the title for the second time since he won as a Tullamore member in 2015.

Stuart Grehan with an Ace on 17 in @CountyLouthGC he’s now 17 under and takes a seven shot lead to the last in the east of Ireland amateur championship @StewyGrehanGolf pic.twitter.com/YsOyLYxTrd

— Irish Amateur golf info (@amateur_info) May 31, 2026

Birdies at the second, third, sixth, 10th, 13th and 16th left him four clear of Rafferty before he sensationally holed out with a four-iron from 216 yards at the 17th for a spectacular ace.

“I won’t forget that for a while,”  Grehan said. “Just a perfect little cut dead weight into the hole.

“To be fair, I flushed it. I think Patrick [Keeling] said, Oh, it has a chance, or something like that, and I just saw everyone's hands go up on the left, so that was pretty special.

“To have obviously family and friends and members there watching, it was really cool.”

As for the long wait for a home winner, he said: “I didn't really think about that sort of stuff before I played.

REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLYEast of Ireland Men's Amateur Open, County Louth Golf Club, Louth 31/5/2026Stuart Grehan with his wife Carla and their son Kai celebrate with the East of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Championship trophyMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLYEast of Ireland Men's Amateur Open, County Louth Golf Club, Louth 31/5/2026Stuart Grehan is presented with the East of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Championship trophy by Golf Ireland President Elect Joe McNamaraMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLYEast of Ireland Men's Amateur Open, County Louth Golf Club, Louth 31/5/2026Stuart Grehan shares a hug with his son Kai after winningMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLYEast of Ireland Men's Amateur Open, County Louth Golf Club, Louth 31/5/2026Stuart Grehan celebrates on the tee box with Patrick Keeling and Joshua Hill after making a hole-in-one on the 17thMandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

“I got off to a ropey start in the afternoon there, bogeyed the first, and I was hitting all over the place.

“But I kind of knuckled down and just leaned on my experience, and played really, really good golf.

“I think it was eight under for the last 17 holes, pretty good when you're when you're leading, so I’m absolutely chuffed. I'm really, really happy”

Three County Louth players finished in the top five as Gerard Dunne closed with rounds of 69 and 66 to finish joint third with Hill on nine under.

Grehan’s 2025 Walker Cup teammate Gavin Tiernan claimed fifth on five under.

East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open, sponsored by Arnotts, County Louth (Par 72)

Final

Detailed scores

271 Stuart Grehan (Co. Louth) 70 69 67 65;

277 Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) 72 71 69 65;

279 Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth) 77 67 69 66, Joshua Hill (Galgorm Castle) 67 71 70 71;

283 Gavin Tiernan (Co. Louth) 71 72 71 69;

284 TJ Ford (Co. Sligo) 75 69 72 68, Patrick Keeling (Roganstown) 74 68 73 69;

286 Luke Cunningham (Galway Bay) 76 70 70 70, Keith Egan (Carton House) 74 69 70 73, Ciaran Murphy (Grange) 73 73 72 68, Thomas Abom (Edmondstown) 72 70 72 72, Jack McDonnell (Royal Dublin) 71 72 71 72;

287 James Hewitt (Tandragee) 76 69 70 72, Jordan Boles (Carton House) 75 68 71 73;

288 Matthew McClean (Malone) 75 69 74 70, Padraig O Dochartaigh (Gweedore) 74 70 73 71;

289 Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) 78 68 71 72, Adam Fahey (Portmarnock) 75 70 72 72, David Howard (Fota Island) 74 71 74 70, Patrick Curran (Edmondstown) 73 71 69 76, Liam Abom (Edmondstown) 73 70 71 75;

290 William O’Riordan (Greystones) 75 72 73 70, David Reddan (Castleknock) 73 74 74 69, Evan Farrell (Co. Louth) 73 71 75 71, Darcy Hogg (Belvoir Park) 72 70 76 72, Dylan Keating (Seapoint) 70 74 70 76;

291 Patrick Martin (Carrick-On-Shannon) 76 70 72 73, Darragh Flynn (Carton House) 74 72 69 76, Quentin Carew (The Heritage) 73 73 74 71;

292 Fionn Dobbin (Malone) 75 72 74 71, David Kitt (Athenry) 72 73 74 73;

293 Mark Muldoon (Royal Dublin) 77 69 71 76, Kyle McCarron (North West) 75 71 76 71, Robert Walsh (Kinsale) 73 72 75 73;

294 Aaron Ryan (Thurles) 73 71 76 74;

295 Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan) 76 71 73 75, Aaron Marshall (Lisburn) 73 73 73 76;

296 Sean Sweeney (Gweedore) 73 72 74 77;

297 Simon Ward (Belvoir Park) 75 71 73 78, Conor Hickey (Dooks) 73 73 73 78, James Fox (Portmarnock) 72 75 74 76;

298 Alex Kerins (Carton House) 74 73 74 77;

299 Knut Magnus Erlandsen (Baerum) 75 72 75 77;

300 Conor McCarthy (Headfort) 76 71 78 75;

309 Nicolai Rosli (Oslo) 70 75 85 79.

Golf Ireland and AIG Ireland today officially launched this year’s AIG Men’s and Women’s Cups and Shields and AIG Men’s, Women’s and Girls’ Irish Amateur Close Championships at Stackstown in Dublin.

On hand to help the launch were reigning AIG Women’s Irish Amateur Close Champion Anna Dawson (Tramore) and leading golf analyst Dylan Beirne (Carrick-on-Shannon).

In addition to the launch of the Golf Ireland competitions, AIG provides a range of tailored insurance solutions for Golf Ireland clubs and members.

AIG has also proudly supported the Women in Sport Scramble which has been a phenomenal success since its inception in 2022. The most recent edition saw over 70 players take to the South Course at the K Club for another successful event which brings sportswomen together from across Ireland.

This year’s AIG Men’s and Women’s Cups and Shields are set to get underway in May with the finals in Shandon Park (26-29 August), Millicent (3-4 September), Ennis (18-19 September) and Thurles (19-20 September).

This year’s AIG Irish Women’s & Girls’ Amateur Close Championships will take place in Enniscrone from 28-31, July followed by the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship, which tees up in Portumna from 13-15 August.

Speaking about the launch today, Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly commented: “For almost three decades, AIG Insurance has been a tremendous supporter of Irish amateur golf, and their ongoing commitment and support to the elite level and Inter-Club competitions is greatly valued by Golf Ireland.

“It’s partnerships like this that allow us to keep raising our standards, provide more opportunities for players, and showcase the strength and depth of club and amateur golf right across the island of Ireland.”

Mark Power stayed patient in windy conditions and fired a bogey-free six under 65 to roar into contention at the Challenge de España in Andalucia.

The Kilkenny man (25) was disappointed not to take advantage of a six-under par front nine in the opening round of last week's Danish Golf Challenge and card a 72 en route to a modest 47th place finish.

But he kept his focus at a blustery Isla Canela Links to sit alone in third place, just a shot behind Portugal's Pedro Figueiredo and South Africa's Ryan Van Velzen.

"Yeah, I was delighted with that," Power said. "Last week I was six under after nine in the first round and had a terrible back nine, so I was disappointed. 

“I tried to keep the foot down, whereas I probably should have tried to keep it more steady.

"So I just knew steady golf out there was going to be good, and once a few putts started to drop, it just freed me up even more."

The two-time Walker Cup star is 100th in the Road to Mallorca standings but feels he has the game to compete for 20 DP World Tour promotions if the putter cooperates. 

"It's nice to see a few putts go in and know that my game is there, if I can convert," he said.

Mallow's James Sugrue missed the cut in Denmark, but he also rebounded well by carding a five-under 66 that left him just two shots off the pace in fourth, while John-Ross Galbraith was tied for seventh after a 67.

Max Kennedy shot 69 and Liam Nolan a 70 to leave them inside the projected cut line, but Ronan Mullarney (four-over), Dermot McElroy (five-over) and Cormac Sharvin (seven-over) have their work cut out.

On the Ladies European Tour, Douglas' Sara Byrne enjoyed a welcome return to form in just her third start since coming back after more than four months out with a fractured elbow to open with a three-under 68 in the Jabra Ladies Open de France.

While she bogeyed her final hole, the former Curtis Cup star (25) was tied for fifth, just two strokes behind Norway's Dorthea Forbrigd, who shot 66 to lead by a shot from India’s Diksha Dagar and England’s Hannah Screen and Hannah Burke at Evian Golf Resort.

“I was feeling pretty good. I was just really chilled,” said Byrne. “I went out there just to play some golf and not put any expectations on it and just took it shot-by-shot. My elbow is giving me a little bit of grief, so it’s just hitting and hoping and then hoping it’s not sore.

“It’s getting through that more than anything else, but I was really happy and everything felt good. My putting is really good, I had a chip-in on 16, up-and-downs were really good, so I was saving myself a lot, and taking them when I had opportunities. It’s just fun to play this golf course, the views are amazing and it’s a really cool place to be at.”

Aine Donegan was 36th after a 72 as Anna Foster shot 73 to share 54th while Annabel Wilson was 88th after a 75.

At the DP World Tour's Austrian Alpine Open presented by Kitzbühel Tirol, China's Yanhan Zhou eagled his final hole to open with an eight-under 62 that gave him a one-shot lead over Portugal's Ricardo Gouviea.

In Texas, Ryan Gerar, Andrew Putnam, JJ Spaun, Tom Kim, Matt McCarty and Lee Hodges shot six under 64 to lead the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge by a shot from 12 players at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.

West Waterford’s Seamus Power was 57th after he birdied his 16th and 18th holes for a one-under 69.

Power had little luck on the greens until he holed out from 42 feet from the fringe for a closing birdie at the ninth.

Meanwhile, Ryder Cup Europe has announced that weekly General Admission and Daily tickets for The Green have sold out for next year’s matches at Adare Manor.

The ballot for Daily General Admission ticket applications opens on June 3.

County Louth's Gerard Dunne hopes he can become the first home winner of the title for 41 years when the Arnotts-sponsored East of Ireland Amateur Championship is decided at Baltray on Sunday.

The local school teacher (38) has already racked up top-10 finishes in the Flogas Irish Amateur Open and the North of Ireland Championship this season, and he's clearly got the game to aspire to become the first County Louth member to win the title since Finbarr Ronan succeeded Barry Reddan as champion in 1985.

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"I think it would be an amazing thing to do, to become part of the history of the club, to have your name on the board and to lift the trophy, it would be huge," said Dunne, who is part of an 11-strong home contingent that will take to the links on Friday.

"It's what you practice for when you're a kid, it's what you talk about when you're a young member and to be in a position where I genuinely feel I can win it is great. 

"I don't think about it a huge amount because it's such a tough thing to do and golf is such a punishing sport and it's hard to win but I'll absolutely be trying my best to win."

"I won't be thinking about the trophy on Friday; there's a lot of work to do in between, but it'd be absolutely huge."

He's certainly a more accomplished player now than he was in 2016, when he finished second to Paul O'Hanlon.

"I'm preparing much better now in the last few years than I ever did," said Dunne. 

"It's just about making sure I know what the strengths of my game are and where the areas are that I need to keep on top of.

"I am at a point in my life where I have a family at home, I have a career, and I know who I am as a person. 

"I think that when you have that self-awareness, it helps transfer over onto the golf course so that you can perform to a higher level because whether I win this week or not, I know I'm happy with who I am in my life."

With Dunne and Walker Cup players Stuart Grehan and Gavin Tiernan joined Graham Callaghan, Harley Phipps, Evan Farrell, Ryan O'Doherty, Daniel O'Brien, Jack McKenna, Ronan O'Reilly and Louis Goodman, hopes of a strong home challenge are high. 

"We're lucky in Baltray to have so many good players that you play a high calibre of player every week, and that keeps your game sharp," Dunne said.

The first objective for the 132-man field is to make the top 42 and ties after 36 holes, who will qualify for the last two rounds on Sunday. 

Arnotts East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, County Louth GC

Tee-times

1st tee Friday/10th tee Saturday

7:30/12:30 Oliver Scriven (Pearl Valley), Stuart Grehan (Co. Louth), Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk);

7:41/12:41 Sean Keeling (Roganstown), Graham Callaghan (Co. Louth), Patrick Curran (Edmondstown);

7:52/12:52 Aodhagan Brady (Co Sligo), Thomas Abom (Edmondstown), David Lally (Blainroe);

8:03/1:03 Gavin O’Neill (Malahide), Keith Egan (Carton House), Liam Abom (Edmondstown);

8:14/1:14 Jamal Sabir (Moate), Matthew McClean (Malone), Kyle Honer (Roganstown);

8:25/1:25 Alex Kerins (Carton House), Cornelius Farhang (Oslo), William O’Riordan (Greystones);

8:36/1:36 Conor Stapleton (Westport), Andrew Mulholland (Castlerock), Paul Coughlan (Castleknock);

8:47/1:47 Dylan Keating (Seapoint), Dylan Holmes (Greystones), Gavin Tiernan (Co. Louth);

8:58/1:58 Frederik Richardson (Byneset), Adam Fahey (Portmarnock), Jamie Anderson (Greystones);

9:09/2:09 Mark Cadden (Roganstown), Morgan Cain (Fota), Evan Farrell (Co. Louth);

9:20/2:20 Benjamin Oberholzer (Clandeboye), Darcy Hogg (Belvoir Park), Padraig O Dochartaigh (Gweedore);

12:30/7:30 Shane Irwin (Hermitage), Bruce MacDonald (Lisburn), James Park (County Sligo);

12:41/7:41 TJ Ford (Co. Sligo), Seamus Cullen (Slieve Russell), Gary Collins (Rosslare);

12:52/7:52 Leon Sebastian Hauger (Oslo), Kyle McCarron (North West), Neil Patterson (Baltinglass);

1:03/8:03 Luke Kelly (Dunfanaghy), Oscar Bach (Oslo), Ryan Griffin (Royal Dublin);

1:14/8:14 Marcus Goosen (Sunnfjord), Patrick Keeling (Roganstown), Robert Walsh (Kinsale);

1:25/8:25 Nicolai Rosli (Oslo), David Reddan (Castleknock), Calum Ward (Carton House);

1:36/8:36 Eoin Sullivan (Portmarnock), Charlie McDonnell (Concra Wood), Barry Howlin (Heritage);

1:47/8:47 Jack McDonnell (Royal Dublin), Marius Kvande (Surnadal), Joe O’Neill (Berehaven);

1:58/8:58 Mikkel Bergum Johansen (Drøbak), Joshua Hill (Galgorm Castle), Ronan O’Reilly (Co Louth);

2:09/9:09 Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth), Michael Roche (Harpenden Common), Knut Magnus Erlandsen (Baerum);

2:20/9:20 John Cunningham (Carton House), James O’Rourke (Naas), Eoin Murphy (Dundalk).

10th tee Friday/1st tee Saturday

7:30/12:30 David Howard (Fota Island), Simon Ward (Belvoir Park), Adam Allahbachani (Powerscourt);

7:41/12:41 Harris Fleming (Galgorm Castle), Fionn Dobbin (Malone), Isaac Oliver (Glasson);

7:52/12:52 Harry O Hara (Clandeboye), James Walsh (Kinsale/Douglas), Quentin Carew (Heritage);

8:03/1:03 Aaron Ryan (Thurles), Finn Jolly (Dun Laoghaire), Harley Phipps (Co. Louth);

8:14/1:14 Dwayne Mallon (Dungannon), Corey Scullion (Moyola Park), Simon Gallivan (Killarney);

8:25/1:25 Ryan Murray (Balmoral), John William Burke (Ballyhaunis), Harry McArdle (Warrenpoint);

8:36/1:36 Ciaran Murphy (Grange), Sean Sweeney (Gweedore), Ben Phipps (Taylormade, USA);

8:47/1:47 David Kitt (Athenry), Sean Downes (Royal Dublin), William Walshe (Delgany);

8:58/1:58 Sam Allister (Belvoir Park), Ben Cahill (Dundalk), James Hewitt (Tandragee);

9:09/2:09 Cormac Ó Muirithe (Belmullet), Paul O Hanlon (Carton House), Cian Harkin (The Island);

9:20/2:20 Matthew Giles (Greenore), Conor Hickey (Dooks), Jenson Boyce (Royal Portrush);

12:30/7:30 Conor Murtagh (Island), David O’Malley (Black Bush), Matthew Dodd (St. Anne’s);

12:41/7:41 Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan), Luke Furlong (Wexford), Jonathan O Sullivan (Cork);

12:52/7:52 Ross Healion (Newforest), Jonathan Keane (Lahinch), David Shiel (Enniscrone);

1:03/8:03 Jordan Boles (Carton House), Darragh Flynn (Carton House), Harry Morgan (Donabate);

1:14/8:14 Luke Cunningham (Galway Bay), Ryan O’Doherty (Enniscrone/Co. Louth), Stephen Coulter (Warrenpoint);

1:25/8:25 Daniel O’Brien (County Louth), Patrick Martin (Carrick-On-Shannon), Paraic McGrath (Galway Bay);

1:36/8:36 Robert Abernethy (Dun Laoghaire), Brian Doran (Millicent), Cole Henderson (Galgorm Castle);

1:47/8:47 Aaron Marshall (Lisburn), Julius Sommer (Penati), David Bohill (Clgc);

1:58/8:58 Jack McKenna (County Louth), Eoin Burrows (Belvoir Park), James Fox (Portmarnock);

2:09/9:09 Louis Goodman (Co. Louth), Mark Muldoon (Royal Dublin), Fergal Coyle (Athenry);

2:20/9:20 Conor McCarthy (Headfort), Mikie Grealy (Galway Bay), Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint).

Golf is a numbers game and Leona Maguire, briefly a fixture inside the world's top 10, is thanking her lucky stars this week.

Just 0.04 ranking points separated the Co Cavan star from missing next week's US Women's Open entirely. But as Maguire knows better than most, numbers don’t always tell the full story.

This week, the 31-year-old returns to Seaview's Bay Course near New Jersey, the site of her LPGA debut eight years ago, where she tied for 15th. She’d ended 2017 as one the most decorated amateurs in the history of women's golf—132 weeks as world number one.

Now she arrives for the Shoprite LGA searching for something perhaps more elusive than that early promise: consistent form.

"It's tougher every year," Maguire told RTE's Greg Allen on the station's Game On programme recently. "You very much have to elevate your game every year, or you get left behind."

Five missed cuts in ten starts this season would suggest the struggle is very real.

But that’s not quite the full story.

She needed to remain in the top 75 in the world when the Rolex Women’s World Rankings were updated this week to qualify to join Olivia Mehaffey in the US Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club next week.

She fell two spots to 75th to make it on the qualifying cut off and while a second-place finish in April's Aramco Championship at Shadow Creek showed she remains a class act, it’s time now to  show more consistency as the Major season looms.

After more than two decades with lifelong coach Shane O'Grady—the man who guided her to that world number one amateur ranking, to Duke University success, to the top 10 of the professional game—Maguire sought the counsel of Sean Foley, Tiger Woods' former coach.

"Shane's been a massive part of my journey all along the way, he always will be," Maguire said carefully, respectfully. "But I was sort of at a crossroads at the end of the year. Do I settle for finishing 40th or 50th on the money list week in, week out, or do I want to actually get back into the top 10?"

With the understanding that breaking eggs might be necessary to make this particular omelette, she’s patiently waiting for her swing changes to click.

Foley identified inefficiencies—a lack of width, insufficient turn, a ball flight too low for the firm, fast, lengthening courses the LPGA now routinely plays.

The early returns have been, as Maguire admits, mixed. She's hitting it longer—seven or eight yards added—and making more birdies. But the inconsistencies have also produced more dropped shots and more weekends off than she's accustomed to.

"He's seen tens of thousands of golf shots," Maguire said of Foley. "He knows the swing inside out. But at the same time, he can keep it simple. Ultimately, we still have to go out and compete. You're playing golf, not golf swing."

Woods, Nick Faldo, Pádraig Harrington and even Rory McIlroy have gone to new coaches in search of the next level and the hope is that the grit that Foley admires in Maguire will translate into results sooner rather than later.

"He walked around and watched a few holes," Maguire recalled. "I think he was amazed by some of the things I was able to do with hybrids and woods. That sort of grit and resilience, getting things up and down when things maybe weren't 100 per cent. That's a very Irish thing. Pádraig and Shane and Rory all have that as well."

The major season now looms. Riviera Country Club for the US Open—a new venue for the women's game, but one Maguire relishes and Hazeltine for the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, where she played on an invitation in 2019 — are courses that demand planning, discipline, and the ability to chip and putt under pressure.

"Major championships are always a bigger and better test," she said. "They test all aspects of your game."

When they began working together, Foley predicted it would be June before significant progress would show.

June has almost arrived and Maguire is hoping he’s right.

"Ultimately, when I walk away from my career," she said, "I want to know I've left no stone unturned."

Cian Arthurs claimed both the Sports Class Standing 2 title and the Gross Stroke Play prize after a strong final-round performance at the inaugural ISPS Handa Irish Close for Golfers with Disabilities at County Meath Golf Club.

Thirty-three players competed in glorious conditions at the Trim venue for the 36-hole championship, marking another significant milestone for disability golf in Ireland.

View the final scores here

Arthurs found himself tied for the ST2 lead after an opening round of 85 alongside Paul O’Kelly (Portmarnock) and County Meath men’s captain Brendan Swan.

The Roganstown golfer teed it up on Wednesday morning determined to improve on the previous day’s performance. He got off to the ideal start with a birdie on the par five third, helping him take a one-shot lead from O’Kelly as they teed up on the 10th.

The lead threatened to slip away from Arthurs’ grasp after a triple bogey on 13 and a double on 16 but composed golf throughout the rest of the back nine proved decisive, with seven pars across the closing stretch helping secure victory by a single shot.

“Yesterday I came out and I don’t know whether my mind was just fog but I couldn’t get anything going,” said Arthurs.

“Today I came out with the mentality, let’s go and get it and try and go low enough. I took a few shots off my score, played five better than yesterday. Made a couple of errors on the back nine but I made 12 or 13 pars today. Overall played a lot better and really enjoyed it.”

“If you went two years ago you probably would have got 22 or 25 people and now it’s over 30. A couple of years’ time you’ve got 40 or 50 playing then. It’s great to have everyone involved and getting new people involved as well because it’s great for exercise, great for mental health and it’s great to show that you can still do what you might think you can’t do after an accident or an injury.”

With the ISPS Handa Irish Open for Golfers with Disabilities taking place at Arthurs’ home club of Roganstown in two weeks’ time, the Irish international’s performance at County Meath could provide a spark as he prepares to take on another strong field when the championship begins on June 9.

“There’ll be a couple of lads from overseas coming and Brendan (Lawlor) is playing as well so I need to sharpen up a little bit of my game,” said Arthurs

“Overall, I’m striking it well, putting quite well without holing stuff. Just need to get a bit better on the greens and a bit tighter off the tee and why not? We’ll give it a go.”

Players competed across a range of sport classifications during the championship with Tom Doherty (Killarney) winning the Sport Class ST1 title and Adam Lockhart (Kirkistown Castle) claimed the Sports Class ST3 prize.

Caolan Munnelly (Tullamore) claimed both the Sport Class IN prize and Net Stroke Play crown while Patrick Morgan (Elmgreen) won the Sport Class V1 2.

Peter Hawthorne (Edenmore) won the Net Stableford, while Cathy Fitzgerald (St Patrick’s) was the champion in the Women’s Division after carding a net seven under par over the two days.

Castletroy Golf Club has announced details of the Trade Electric Group-sponsored Men’s Senior Scratch Cup.

The competition takes place on Sunday, 14 June.

First played in 1948, the Castletroy Senior Scratch Cup is one of the oldest and most prestigious scratch cups in the country and attracts many of Ireland's best amateur golfers each year.

Tralee’s Mark Gazi, now at Northwestern University, returns to defend the title he won in a dramatic play-off with Davy Reddan last year.

Also, vying for the trophy will be 2025 West of Ireland champion, Dylan Holmes, 2026 Munster Strokeplay Champion, Paul Coughlan, former Irish Close winners, Paul O’Hanlon and Quentin Carew, as well as Irish U-18s Internationals, Isaac Oliver, John-William Burke and Luke Furlong.

Isaac and John-William represented the Irish Men’s Team at the European Octagonal Matches in Spain earlier this year.  

Among the recent winners at Castletroy are 2023 Irish Close Champion, Rob Moran, Arnold Palmer Cup Representative David Kitt, Connacht Interprovincial Simon Walker and former South of Ireland and British Amateur Champion, James Sugrue.

The quality of former champions is further exemplified by a unique roll of honour containing seven Walker Cup representatives - John Burke, Jimmy Bruen, Max McCready, JB Carr, Tom Craddock, David Sheahan and Sugrue.

• Entries are invited to Castletroy GC at (061) 335 753 (ext. 2) or golf@castletroygolfclub.ie.

• Handicap limit is WHS of 2.4 and confined to the lowest 72 entrants.

• Shotgun start at 9am and 2.30pm on the day. The entry fee of €60 includes lunch.

• Closing date for entries is 4pm sharp on Wednesday, 10 June with the draw for play taking place later that evening.   

• Please note that entries are running very high this year and all the indications are that waiting list will be in operation.