Golf rule changes are announced

A number of significant changes to regulations have been announced by golf's rule makers, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

Under the new Rules of Golf coming into force next year, the two-shot penalty for "accidental deflection of the ball by the player" has been reduced to one.

Revised rule 12.2 will allow a player to lift a ball in a bunker or water hazard for identification purposes.

The United States Golf Association has also agreed to the changes.

R&A rules secretary David Rickman said the 28 amendments to 34 rules in the 2008 rulebook were being made in an attempt to improve clarity and make penalties more proportionate to the offences.

In matchplay, the reduced penalty for the accidental deflection of the ball by a player, his partner, their caddies or equipment is reduced from the loss of one hole to one shot.

That law most famously caught out Jeff Maggert in the final round of the 2003 Masters when he was penalised two strokes after his bunker shot at the third caught the lip and rebounded back into his chest.

The American ended up with a triple-bogey seven to ruin his victory chances.

Give your reaction to the rule changes

Another change reduces the punishment for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club from disqualification to a two-stroke penalty per hole with a maximum penalty of four strokes per round.

The R&A is planning to produce four million copies of the new Rules of Golf book in English, which are then distributed to clubs free of charge.

Affiliated golf unions across the globe reproduce them in more than 25 other languages.

"We always aim to make the rules readily accessible to golfers worldwide," said Rickman.

"The simpler, clearer language of the 2008 edition is designed to make them easier for players to use."

Also part of the new rules is a move to speed up play by allowing players to tap in putts while standing on or astride the line.

Action on the distances ball are flying these days has still not been deemed necessary at this stage, with data from the professional game showing that there has been a levelling off in the past few years.

Monty hits out at stars' absence

Colin Montgomerie has criticised Ernie Els and Lee Westwood for missing the European Tour season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Els, who leads the Order of Merit, and Westwood have instead opted to play in the Asian Tour in Singapore.

"The Order of Merit meant a lot to me and it obviously does not to others," said Montgomerie, who topped the standings a record eight times.

"This should have been their priority. I would never, ever miss this."

Interview: Colin Montgomerie

He added: "This is our flagship tournament - our Tour Championship if you like - and it's a shame that all the players who qualified aren't here."

The Valderrama event will settle a five-man battle for the Order of Merit with Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Niclas Fasth all hoping to overtake Els.

Els and Westwood both criticised the European Tour because of a schedule clash.

European Tour chief executive George O'Grady will air his views at a press conference on Thursday, agreeing to bring forward his usual Sunday session with the media because of the situation.

Els said: "I'd love to play the Masters but if they (European Tour) screw up the dates so be it."

Who will win the Order of Merit?

Westwood added: "The mismanagement on behalf of the tour is disappointing."

The dates for the 2007 Singapore Open were announced in May 2006, several months before the European Tour announced its schedule.

And world number four Els said: "I signed a commitment (to play the Singapore Open) for three years.

"I played my first one last year, this is my middle year and I've got a commitment next year, so don't blame me.

"The European Tour knew that I'd got a three-year contract and I don't make the decision on when the tournament falls so it's one of those things.

"You can't please everybody and especially when two big events like these are being played on the same week. It just doesn't make any sense."

Westwood, although upset to be missing out on the Volvo Masters, said he had never considered pulling out of the Singapore event.

"Once I sign a contract, I plan to stick to my word," the world number 31 said.

"I'd like to have played in both tournaments and hopefully it will be corrected in years to come so I can play in the last couple of events of the European season."

With five players chasing the Harry Vardon trophy for winning the Order of Merit, Valderrama promises to provide an exciting conclusion to the season.

It is a huge bonus that the Order of Merit is even an option at this point and I'd love to make the most of it
Justin Rose

If Open champion Harrington finishes in the top three in Valderrama, he retains the Order of Merit title, while Rose knows he must finish higher than the Irishman to take his first Order of Merit.

A Stenson victory in Spain would win him the Order of Merit title if neither Harrington or Rose is runner-up, while Stenson's fellow Swede Fasth must win and hope that Harrington or Rose do not finish in the top three.

Rose is giving the tournament his fullest attention.

"I'm giving this the same preparation as I did for the majors this year," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm in an exciting situation although it's not one I necessarily expected to be in at the start of the year.

"Winning the Order of Merit wasn't one of my goals as I was only playing in 11 (European Tour) events, but it's proved if you play well in the right ones, you can do it.

"It is a huge bonus that the Order of Merit is even an option at this point and I'd love to make the most of it."

Tour dates clash angers Westwood

Lee Westwood has accused the European Tour of "mismanagement" after missing what promises to be a thrilling finale to the season at Valderrama in Spain.

This week's Volvo Masters will settle the Order of Merit with Ernie Els, Justin Rose, Padraig Harrington, Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson in contention.

But Westwood, who is ranked 10th, has committed himself to playing in the Singapore Open on the Asian Tour.

He said: "The mismanagement on behalf of the European Tour is disappointing."

The dates for the 2007 Singapore Open were announced in May 2006, several months before the European Tour announced its schedule.

Who will win the Order of Merit?

And Westwood, although upset to be missing out on the Volvo Masters, said he had never considered pulling out of the Singapore event.

"Once I sign a contract, I plan to stick to my word," the world number 31 said.

"I'd like to have played in both tournaments and hopefully it will be corrected in years to come so I can play in the last couple of events of the European season."

With five players chasing the Harry Vardon trophy for winning the Order of Merit, Valderrama promises to provide an exciting conclusion to the season.

South Africa's Els leads the way, but he cannot affect the outcome as he too is playing in Singapore after refusing to break his contract to play there.

It is a huge bonus that the Order of Merit is even an option at this point and I'd love to make the most of it
Justin Rose

But his decision has opened the door for Harrington, Rose, Fasth and Stenson.

If Open champion Harrington finishes in the top three, he retains the title, while Rose knows he must finish higher than the Irishman inside the top 50 to take his first Order of Merit.

Sweden's Stenson knows that victory in Spain wins him the title if Harrington or Rose are not runners-up, while compatriot Fasth must win and hope that Harrington or Rose do not finish in the top three.

Rose is giving the tournament his fullest attention.

"I'm giving this the same preparation as I did for the majors this year," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm in an exciting situation although it's not one I necessarily expected to be in at the start of the year.

"Winning the Order of Merit wasn't one of my goals as I was only playing in 11 (European Tour) events, but it's proved if you play well in the right ones, you can do it.

"It is a huge bonus that the Order of Merit is even an option at this point and I'd love to make the most of it."

Davies second after late charge

Britain's Laura Davies finished second at the LPGA Thailand tournament in Pattaya following a late charge.

She fired a superb seven-under-par 65 to whittle away Suzann Pettersen's seven-stroke lead but the Norwegian made an eagle at the last to triumph.

Davies' round included six birdies and an eagle at the first and she was tied with Pettersen, who made four bogeys in her round of 71, on the final fairway.

The Briton birdied the 18th to end with a final total of 267 and 20 under par.

"She made a great shot on the last and that was it," said the 44-year-old Davies about the last-hole drama.

"It was all about that one shot. She hit the shot and I slightly pushed my six-iron. I had a really good putt, I thought I had made it, but I didn't make it."

American Paula Creamer came third at the Siam Country Club after a six-under-par 66 in the fourth round, which took her total to 270.

Rachel Hetherington of Australia crept up the leaderboard on the last day by matching Davies' 65 to claim fourth, while former world number one Annika Sorenstam was sixth on 275.

Bourdy registers maiden tour win

FINAL LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-12 G Bourdy (Fr)

-10 Sm Little

-9 R-J Derksen (Ned)

-7 A Forsyth

-6 J Edfors (Swe); Pt LawrieSelected others

-4 T Bjorn (Den)

-3 S Garcia (Sp)

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy held off the challenge of England's Sam Little to win the Mallorca Classic with a three-under-par final round 67 at Pula.

The 25-year-old produced a bogey-free round to finish two strokes clear with a 12-under total of 268.

Little's hopes of victory faded when he three-putted for a bogey at 15, but four birdies also earned him a 67 and secured his tour card for 2008.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (70) took third place on nine-under.

And Derksen, who had shared the lead with Bourdy after three rounds, was followed home on seven-under by Scotland's Alastair Forsyth, who sank six birdies in an excellent 66.

There was disappointment for Spanish fans, however, as Sergio Garcia struggled to a 73 and finished in a tie for 16th place on three-under.

A total of 24 players were within six shots of the lead at the start of the final round, but it was Bourdy, from Bordeaux, who established a clear advantage with three birdies in six holes around the turn.

His only anxious moment thereafter came at the 16th where he pulled his tee-shot into the rough and only just cleared the water in front of the green with his approach.

Bourdy duly collected his par and later struck a magnificent tee-shot at the 203-yard last, but could not quite round things off in style as his putt for a birdie two lipped out.

He knocked in a two-footer for par, however, and was drenched in champagne by compatriots Thomas Levet and Christian Cevaer before collecting his trophy and a £238,000 cheque.

"This is fantastic to get my first win. I started off nervously and got lucky on the first three holes to make par but after that my game was much better.

"I thought my second shot on the 16th was in the water, I was a bit lucky there, but I'm delighted to win and qualify for the Volvo Masters. I knew I needed to finish in the top three and I made it," Bourdy said afterwards.

The outcome was just as sweet for Little, who began the tournament 136th on the Order of Merit but moved up 60 places with his best-ever result, bettering his fifth place at the Madeira Island Open four years ago.
"It was my great escape, but playing like I have this week, showed me I was good enough not to have to struggle like I have," the 32-year-old Londoner said.

Fellow Briton Richard Finch, another player under threat at the start of the week, also did enough with a 72 for joint seventh place which lifted him from 124th to 110th on the list, with only the top 117 keeping cards for next year.

Storm in contention in Mallorca

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-4 G Murphy, A McLardy (SA), R Finch (6)

-3 J Backstrom (Swe), J Hepworth, G Storm, L Calverie (Spa) (9), E Canonica (Ita) (8), N Fasth (Swe) (7), S Little (3)Selected others

-2 S Garcia (Spa), A Forsyth

+2 MA Jimenez (Spa) (7)

England's Graeme Storm shot a 67 to lie a shot off the lead in a rain-curtailed first round of the Mallorca Classic.

The clubhouse lead, at four under, was shared by South Africa's Andrew McLardy and Ireland's Gary Murphy, before thunder forced an early abandonment.

It means 60 players will have to resume their first round on Friday morning.

Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia is not one of them, though, after he fired three bogeys and five birdies to finish his round on two-under-par 68.

It was the Spaniard's first event in five weeks, and the world number 10 admitted: "I felt rusty on the front nine and struggled with a couple of tee shots, getting too narrow with my back swing.

"I started to hit some good shots on the back nine, though, and it's the kind of course I like.

I've played far too many events this year and I'm running on empty.
Graeme Storm

"Nobody shoots 18 under to win and the winning total always stays between five or 10 under (Niclas Fasth won on five under last year)."

Storm currently lies 16th on the Order of Merit and needs to move into the top 15 to book his place in the US Open next year, while remaining inside the top 20 will guarantee entry into the Open at Royal Birkdale.

But he said: "I've played far too many events this year and I'm running on empty. I've already looked at the schedule for next year and think I'll play 25 or 27 maximum, to play any more would be stupid.

Meanwhile, Hull's Richard Finch started brilliantly to be four under after the first six holes of his round before being forced off the course.

Elsewhere, former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart lay a shot behind Garcia on 69 as he bids to improve his Order of Merit ranking from 169th and secure full playing privileges for 2008.

Only the top 118 on the Order of Merit on Sunday evening will hold onto their cards next season.

Pair lead in storm-hit Mallorca

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-9 R-J Derksen (Ned), J-F Lucquin (Fra)

-6 Pe Lawrie (Ire), M Vibe-Hastrup (Nor)Selected others

-5 S Little, A Forsyth (after 7)

-4 G Storm (9)

-3 S Garcia (Spa, 9)

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and Jean-Francois Lucquin of France emerged at the top of the leaderboard on the second day at the Mallorca Classic.

The pair finished their storm-hit first rounds on Friday before building a three-shot lead at nine under.

Ireland's Peter Lawrie and Dane Mads Vibe-Hastrup were six under, while Spain's Sergio Garcia was three under after 27 holes.

Half the field must return on Saturday to complete their second rounds.
The 33-year-old Derksen, lying 42nd on the money-list, added a 65 to his opening 66 but despite three-putting twice he was happy to have come through a gruelling day.

"We used to play 36 holes as amateurs with no problem but it seems when you get to the pro level it's a lot harder," he said Derksen.

"It would be nice to get close to a top-20 spot (this week) because a lot goes with it including (a place in) the British Open."

While Derksen is assured of a spot in next week's season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama, the 88th-placed Lucquin needs to finish in the top two here to qualify in the top 60.

The 28-year-old Frenchman said his rounds of 66 and 65 were down to a new coach.

"One and a half months ago I changed my coach to Richard Gillot, who used to play with me on the Challenge Tour and is my son's godfather," he said.

"He knows my game and last week in Portugal everything started to take shape. I finished with a 64 there and felt I could carry it on to this week."

Iain Carter's column

Nick Faldo’s style of captaincy threatens to shatter the mould set by previous European Ryder Cup skippers.Faldo is speaking his mind ahead of next September’s clash with the US at Valhalla in Kentucky.
Previous incumbents have tended to wait until after matches before telling us their innermost thoughts on the team they’ve led.
But the former world number one has already let it be known that he wasn’t overly impressed with one of his potential team members, Colin Montgomerie, when he took charge of the Great Britain and Ireland team in the Seve Trophy.
“He was the only one whose emotions I had to deal with,” Faldo told the Times.
“He only came to two of the five team meetings, so that was disappointing.
“Then he had to be teased out on to the 18th green to support his team. The bottom line was that he hadn’t won a point.
”It is very unusual for a European Ryder Cup captain to make public such feelings about a player who may well be in his side, let alone one who has become a legend in the biennial transatlantic matches.
We are still eleven months from the next contest so we are far enough away for these comments not to have too damaging an effect.
Furthermore there is a world of difference between the Seve Trophy and the Ryder Cup and no one has ever doubted Montgomerie’s commitment to the European cause when the US provide the opposition.
But Faldo has to be careful. Unity and team spirit have become the 13th man for Europe through their recent years of dominance.Equally Montgomerie should want to stay in Faldo’s good books because on current form he may need a captain’s pick to be able to play in a ninth Ryder Cup.
This controversy follows hot on the heels of Paul McGinley’s resignation as Faldo’s vice captain.
This was also contentious because the Irishman was overlooked by the captain for a Seve Trophy selection.Faldo is renowned for speaking his mind.
If he continues to do so, the build up to next year’s match could prove the most intriguing we have ever seen.
Great for us reporters, but at what cost to the team?

Vancsik retains lead in Portugal

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-18 D Vancsik (Arg)

-17 St Webster, C Schwartzel (SA)

-16 R Fisher, R Karlsson (Swe) Selected others

-15 L Westwood

-11 J Rose

-10 R Goosen (SA)

-9 S Hansen (Den), N Dougherty, B Dredge

-4 R McIlroy

-1 M-A Jimenez (Sp)

Daniel Vancsik ended the third round of a European Tour event in the lead for the second week running after a third round 68 at the Portugal Masters.

The Argentine is 18 under par - one shot ahead of England's Steve Webster and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel.

Vancsik had a mixed round with an outward half of 36 but four birdies in the back nine.

Justin Rose improved his chances of winning the Order of Merit as a 66 put him joint 18th on 11 under.

He needs to finish in the top two on Sunday to go top of the list with just one event remaining this season.

Rose has suffered blisters on his feet and back trouble this week and said: "It's been a funny week, and I feel like I'm falling apart. But I'm just getting on with business - and I think 66 is the worst I could have shot.

I'd like the fairways to have been a lot tighter and the rough a lot thicker
Lee Westwood

"I felt like it could have been 10 better, but it's a step in the right direction. My back was okay until the 14th, and then it started really hurting me.

"But I'm trying not to think about it and I'm looking forward to the end of the year more than anything else."

Schwartzel, like Vancsik hunting his second win of the year, eagled the 17th for a 66 while Webster shot a 67.

Lee Westwood also carded a 67 and is in a group of three players three shots off the lead, but after his round said he was not happy with the course.

"I'd like the fairways to have been a lot tighter and the rough a lot thicker," he said.

"It's possible round here. The more times we play this venue, it held the World Cup two years ago, the more the Tour will learn how to set it up so it's demanding."

Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy suffered a triple-bogey 73 on the last to end the day three under par and joint 68th in the remaining field of 73 players.

Webster snatches Portugal Masters

FINAL LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-25 St Webster

-23 R Karlsson (Swe)

-20 D Vancsik (Arg)

-19 L Westwood; S Hansen (Den) Selected others

-17 S Walker, R Fisher

-15 B Dredge

England's Steve Webster won the Portugal Masters with the European Tour's best winning final round of the season, a 64 in Vilamoura.

One behind Daniel Vancsik overnight, Webster went to the turn in four under, then sank an eagle putt on the 12th.

Swede Robert Karlsson was two shots behind, Vancsik finished third and Lee Westwood joint fourth.

Webster's only previous European Tour victory in over a decade as a pro was the Italian Open two years ago.

He claimed the first prize of nearly £350,000 with a 25-under-par total that was the lowest of the season then, remembering the death of his mother earlier this year, collapsed in tears.

I was thinking about my mum all the time and it was so hard to keep my mind on the golf

Steve Webster
After being congratulated by his father Terry, Webster said his victory was an emotion-packed affair.

"I lost my mum in the early part of the season and it really knocked me about," he told reporters. "I didn't think I'd even keep my card because it was tough.

"But I had a great result at Loch Lomond (Scottish Open in July) and that seemed to help me turn the corner, I became more positive.

"It was so hard out there, especially coming down the stretch, because I was thinking about my mum all the time and it was so hard to keep my mind on the golf. But I knew she was looking down on me."

Meanwhile, Justin Rose's 21st place was not good enough for him to overtake Irishman Padraig Harrington in second place on Europe's money-list.

With top man Ernie Els not playing in the season-closing Volvo Masters the week after next, that event could see a straight fight between the two for the order of merit.

"I'm looking forward to going to Valderrama now because I prefer it when courses are tougher," Rose said.

"My goal is to win the Volvo Masters and then I'll win the order of merit, so it's a double-whammy.

Best of season puts Kaymer on top

FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-11 M Kaymer (Ger)

-8 M Erlandsson (Swe), D Vancsik (Arg)

-7 G Bourdy (Fr), R Goosen (SA), L WestwoodSelected others

-6 N Dougherty, S Walker, S Webster

-4 B Dredge

-3 J Rose, P McGinley

-1 R McIlroy

Martin Kaymer shot 61 - the joint-best round of the season - to take the lead after day one of the Portugal Masters.

The German fired 11 birdies to clip two shots off the course record and stand three shots ahead of Argentine Daniel Vancsik and Sweden's Martin Erlandsson.

Britain's Lee Westwood, Gregory Bourdy of France and South African Retief Goosen shared third on seven under.

Justin Rose, trying to move to the top of Europe's money-list, carded a 69 while Rory McIlroy was on one under.

The 18-year-old from Northern Ireland went into the event still hoping to become the youngest-ever winner on the European Tour.

But that looks unlikely after an astonishing opening round from 22-year-old Kaymer, who is also in his first season on the tour.

He shared the lead going into the final round of the Wales Open in June and was also in front playing the last hole of the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm in August.

After finishing with five successive birdies for a closing 29 - one outside the tour record, Kaymer said: "I've been waiting for this day for a couple of weeks. My putting has been so-so, but every putt went in this time."

Vancsik, winner of the Madeira Islands Open in March, also had a near-miss at last week's Madrid Open.

He led in Spain for the first three rounds before wrecking his victory chances with a nine at the fifth hole on the last day.

Erlandsson is trying to better his career best of runner-up in the 2005 Wales Open and moved up to second place with four birdies in five holes to the turn.

Rose was happy to be able to play after suffering a recurrence of back trouble last weekend.

Vancsik takes control in Portugal

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-14 D Vancsik (Arg)

-12 M Erlandsson (Swe), R Fisher, A Quiros (Sp), S Webster

-11 M Kaymer (Ger), C Schwartzel (SA)Selected others

-10 L Westwood

-7 R Goosen (SA), S Hansen (Nor)

-5 J Rose, N Dougherty

-4 R McIlroy, M-A Jimenez (Sp), B Dredge

Argentina's Daniel Vancsik added a second round of 66 to his opening 64 to take the lead at the Portugal Masters.

England's Ross Fisher and Steve Webster, Swede Martin Erlandsson and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros share second place, two shots off the pace.

Quiros is playing in only his second event after five months out following wrist surgery.

Overnight leader Martin Kaymer of Germany could only manage a 72 and dropped to a share of sixth.

Kaymer had shot a new course record of 61 in Friday's opening round.

Vancsik won the Madeira Islands Open in March and was leading the Madrid Open on Sunday until he had a nine on the fifth hole of the final round.

The 30-year-old, who has had 16 birdies in his opening two rounds said: "This course is good for my game. The driver is my best club and I can fly all the bunkers."

Lee Westwood birdied the last two holes to climb to 10 under, four behind Vancsik while Justin Rose's hopes of climbing to the top of the European Order of Merit faded with a bogey six at the 17th which dropped him to five under, nine off the pace.

Ulster teenager Rory McIlroy made it four cuts out of four as a professional, but this time with only one shot to spare but Ryder Cup trio David Howell, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley all missed the cut.

Euro Tour to hit India and Korea

The European Tour will include tournaments in India and Korea for the first time in 2008 following the release of the Tour schedule.

Players will also get a chance to play on the 2010 Ryder Cup course at the Celtic Manor Wales Open.

The ninth staging of the tournament in Newport is one of a minimum of 50 Order of Merit events in the 2008 season.

Most tournaments retain their 2007 week but the Singapore Masters and Maybank Malaysian Open have swapped dates.

The EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters will be played at the Delhi Golf Club from 7-10 February and the Johnnie Walker Classic will be staged at the DLF Golf and Country Club, New Delhi, from 28 February to 2 March.

The European Tour undertakes its first venture into Korea with the playing of the Ballantine's Championship at Pinx Golf Club, Jeju Island, from 13-16 March.

European Tour 2008 schedule (beginning Nov 2007):
2007Nov

8-11 HSBC Champions, Shanghai, China

15-18 UBS Hong Kong Open

22-25 MasterCard Masters, Melbourne, Australia

Nov 29-Dec 2 New Zealand Open, Queenstown

Dec 6-9 Alfred Dunhill Championship, South Africa

13-16 SA Airways Open, South Africa

2008Jan 17-20 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

24-27 Qatar Masters, Doha

Jan 31-Feb 3 Dubai Desert Classic

7-10 Indian Masters

14-17 Singapore Masters

20-24 WGC Match Play, Tucson, Arizona

21-24 Indonesia Open, TBA

Feb 28-Mar 2 Johnnie Walker Classic, New Delhi
March

6-9 Maybank Malaysian Open, TBA

13-16 Ballantine Championship, Jeju Island

20-23 WGC-CA Championship, Florida

20-23 Madeira Island Open, Portugal

27-30 Open de Andalucia, TBA

April 3-6 Open de Portugal, EstorilApril

10-13 The Masters, Augusta National

17-20 China Open, Beijing

24-27 Asian Open, Shanghai

May 1-4 Open de Espana, SevilleM

8-11 Italian Open, Milan

15-18 Irish Open, Limerick

22-25 BMW Championship, Wentworth, Surrey

May 29-June 1 Celtic Manor Wales Open, Newport

June 5-8 BA-CA Golf Open, Vienna

12-15 US Open, California

12-15 St Omer Open, France

19-22 BMW International Open, Germany

26-29 Open de France, Paris

July 3-6 European Open, TBA

10-13 Scottish Open, Loch Lomond

17-20 137th Open Championship, Royal Birkdale

26-29 Players' Championship of Europe, Hamburg

July 31-Aug 3 WGC Invitational, Ohio

August 7-10 USPGA Championship, Tulsa, Oklahoma

4-17 Scandinavian Masters, Stockholm, Sweden

21-24 KLM Open, Holland

28-31 Johnnie Walker Championship, Gleneagles

Sept 4-7 European Masters, Switzerland

11-14 Mercedes-Benz Championship, Cologne

19-21 Ryder Cup, Valhalla GC

25-28 British Masters, The Belfry

Oct 2-5 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Scotland

9-12 World Match Play Championship, Wentworth

16-19 Portugal Masters, Vilamoura

23-26 Mallorca Masters, Majorca

Oct 30-Nov 2 Volvo Masters, Valderrama

Nov 27-30 Omega Mission Hills World Cup, China

Teenager McIlroy fourth in Madrid

Rory McIlroy finished joint-fourth and five shots off winner Mads Vibe-Hastrup after a closing 70 in the Madrid Open.

The 18-year-old from Northern Ireland was hoping to become the youngest winner in European Tour history in only his third event as a professional.

McIlroy started the final round four behind Argentina's Daniel Vancsik.
But he could not match the surge from Dane Vibe-Hastrup as five bogeys undermined an eagle and five birdies and he finished on 11 under par.

English trio Ben Barham, Sam Little and Sam Walker were seventh on eight under.

But it was another eye-catching display from McIlroy which provided one of the main highlights.

I think I've done very well after all that has gone on over the last few weeks

Rory McIlroy
He only turned professional after the Walker Cup last month but finished 42nd on his tour debut in the British Masters and third in the Dunhill Links Championship last Sunday - a performance which all but secured his card for next season.

McIlroy can still become the youngest winner when he moves on to the Portugal Masters.

"I would have taken fourth when I came here. I think I've done very well after all that has gone on over the last few weeks and I hope to follow it on next week," he said.

"I am playing very well at the moment, I am hitting it really well. If I could get a couple more putts to drop it would make the difference."

Vibe-Hastrup, meanwhile, claimed his first European Tour title with a near-flawless final round, carding six birdies and just one bogey in his 67 to claim the £103,000 first prize and two-year tour exemption.

Spain's Alejandro Canizares was three behind while Vancsik, who led for the first three rounds, was a further stroke adrift in third.

Vancsik's challenge was badly hit on the fifth when he tangled with heavy rough to take a quintuple-bogey nine.

And Vibe-Hastrup, two behind him overnight, took a firm hold with three birdies in four holes from the eighth.

Canizares stayed in touch with him until he missed a short putt to bogey the short 17th, shortly after Vibe-Hastrup produced a fine approach to three feet to birdie the 16th and effectively end the contest.

European Open needs new sponsor

The European Open has lost its sponsor and there now will be doubts whether the event will stay at an Irish venue.

The event has been staged at the K Club in Kildare for every year since 1995.

However, it was announced on Monday that the Smurfit Kappa Group had ended its backing of the tournament with "immediate effect".

The K Club hosted last year's Ryder Cup but only four members of the victorious European team played in this season's European Open at the venue.

What next for the European Open?

Smurfit Kappa chief executive Gary McGann said his company had enjoyed "a very successful relationship with The European Tour over the last 13 years".

"Last year The K Club also hosted what most commentators regard as the most successful ever staging of The Ryder Cup.

"SKG's decision is based on the increasingly international scale of our business and the inability of a brand such as ours to obtain full value from the sponsorship."

Colin Montgomerie won the title in July, but Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and David Howell were his only 2006 cup team-mates who also returned to the venue.

George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, said that he was "indebted" to the support of the Smurfit Kappa Group over the past 13 years.

"The success of the Championship is a tribute to the vision of Dr Michael Smurfit, who has done so much for the European Open Golf

Championship, for golf in Ireland, and for the Ryder Cup.

"The European Open is a key fixture on the European Tour, offering as it does a much coveted opportunity for business, and negotiations are already advanced re its future."

Next year's tournament will take place on 3-6 July although the venue has yet to be confirmed.

The European Open was first played in 1978 at Walton Heath and has also been hosted by East Sussex National, Royal Liverpool, Sunningdale and Turnberry.

Mexican Ochoa retains world crown

Defending champion Lorena Ochoa cruised to her seventh LPGA title of the year with a four-shot victory at the women's World Championship in California.

The Mexican world number one shared the lead with Norway's Suzann Pettersen at the start of the final round.

Ochoa broke clear with two birdies in the first three holes and fired a six-under-par 66 to finish on 18 under.

South Korea's Kim Mi-hyun birdied the last two to secure second with a 69 but Pettersen finished fifth on 12 under.

"I have been trying to get my seventh victory of this year but it has been tough the last two weeks," said Ochoa.

"This week has been great and I am very proud and happy with this trophy."

Ochoa hit every green in regulation on the front nine to reach the turn three under par.

She set up further birdies at the 10th and 14th before rolling in a 15-footer from the edge of the green at the 15th to surge four clear.

Although the world number one bogeyed the par-three 16th after missing her only green of the day, she immediately recovered with the seventh birdie of her round at the 17th.

Pettersen stayed in touch with birdies at the seventh and eighth before losing ground around the turn.

American teenager Michelle Wie ended a frustrating week with a six-birdie 71, which lifted her one place off the bottom of the leaderboard in the elite field of 20.

Final leaderboard:
-18 Lorena Ochoa (Mex)

-14 Mi Hyun Kim (Skor)

-13 Angela Park (Brz), Jeong Jang (Skor)

-12 Suzann Pettersen (Nor)

-10 Jee Young Lee (SKor), Paula Creamer (USA)

-9 Stacy Prammanasudh (USA)

-7 Angela Stanford (USA)

-6 Sarah Lee (SKor), Seon Hwa Lee (SKor), Se Ri Pak (Skor)

-5 Morgan Pressel (USA)

-4 Cristie Kerr (USA)

-2 Maria Hjorth (Swe)

+2 Nicole Castrale (USA)

+3 Brittany Lincicome (USA)

+5 Ai Miyazato (Jpn)

+18 Michelle Wie (USA)

+19 Bettina Hauert (Ger)

Els wins seventh Match Play title

Ernie Els claimed the World Match Play title for the seventh time with a 6&4 drubbing of Argentina's Angel Cabrera in the final at Wentworth.

The South African's victory earned him £1m in prize money and he is now top of the European Order of Merit.

Cabrera bogeyed the 1st hole and was quickly four down, but did birdie the 24th and 27th to cut the gap to two.

Els then two-putted the 30th for another winning birdie and a par on the next put him five up with five to play.

Report: Els wins seventh match play title
Interview: Ernie Els

Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose, now second and third in the Order of Merit, still have tournaments to come whereas Els does not.

"I wish I could move Wentworth around the world with me," said Els, whose previous six Match Play triumphs was already a record.

Your reaction to Els' seventh Match Play triumph

"It's absolutely a dream come true. In my wildest dreams, I would not have dreamt I could win it seven times.

"I didn't strike my drives as well as the previous couple of days, but my putter stayed hot."

Els led by three at the halfway stage, but there was a worrying period in the morning when he had problems with his back.

He recovered and a 12-foot putt saved him his par at the 21st, while Cabrera failed to get up and down after pushing his approach.

The South American knew he had to step up his game - and did with four birdies in the next six holes.

But Els promptly sank a 15-footer at the 28th and worked his magic again on the 30th, before Cabrera's fate was sealed when he bogeyed the following hole.

Cabrera picked up a sizeable runners-up cheque for £400,000.
He said: "2007 has been a great year for me. Winning the US Open has changed my life.

"I congratulate Ernie - he is a great champion - but I hope Argentina beat South Africa in the rugby tonight in Paris and have better luck than I did."

BBC Sport keeps Masters contract

BBC Sport has retained the broadcasting rights to The Masters and secured a new three-year extension up to and including 2010.

The agreement provides live television, radio and additional online rights.
"The deal marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the BBC and The Masters," said BBC Director of Sport Roger Mosey.

"We are proud of our history together, and this allows us to continue to develop the relationship."

SPORT EDITORS' BLOG
A total of 10.2m people tuned in to the TV coverage in 2007
BBC Director of Sport Roger Mosey

The tournament held at Augusta has been screened by the BBC since 1986.

Mosey added: "The deal guarantees free-to-air coverage of a truly great tournament to the UK public."

Cabrera downs Casey at Wentworth

Defending champion Paul Casey crashed out of the HSBC World Match Play after a 4&3 loss to Argentine Angel Cabrera.

The 30-year-old Englishman trailed by one after the first 18 holes and US Open champion Cabrera stretched ahead with five birdies in the afternoon.

Six-time winner Ernie Els beat Argentine Andres Romero by 6&5.
Swede Henrik Stenson downed Anders Hansen 7&6 despite the Dane's hole-in-one at the 28th hole, while Hunter Mahan beat Soren Hansen by

Report: Champion Casey crashes out
Replay: Hansen's hole-in-one at Wentworth
Interview: Ernie Els

The 37-year-old Cabrera, who won the PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2005, will take on American Mahan in the semi-final.

"I lipped out too many putts," said Casey. "But he played fine golf and was always going to be tough to beat.

"He didn't give me anything, but that's the way it goes and I really hope he goes on and wins it now."

Els was four up after the first round and reached as much as seven up after the 10th against Romero, who finished third in the Open at Carnoustie.

The South African will play Accenture Match Play champion Stenson in the second semi-final.

"I played well when I needed to," Els said. "But he didn't have his best day. I was fortunate to be four up at lunch and my short game definitely saved me. But all in all, I've got to be happy with the way things have gone."

Stenson added: "It will be a tough weekend, playing Ernie, the six times winner who re-designed the course - he even lives here. Are there any more advantages we can give him?"

Stenson and Romero began the day by finishing off their held-over first-round matches, with Stenson beating American Woody Austin on the 18th and Romero downing Swede Niclas Fasth 3&2.

Els or Stenson could go top of the European Order of Merit this weekend following the exits of leading pair Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose on the opening day.

Rose and Poulter team up for Cup

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter are to pair up for England in November's World Cup team event in China.
Rose was second with Paul Casey behind South Africa at Kiawah Island in 2004, while Poulter's previous appearance was in 2001 in Japan.
Wales' 2005 winners, Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge, are reunited in a bid to regain the trophy.
And Scots Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren attempt to go one better than 2006 when they lost out to Germany.
After a thrilling play-off last year Monty and Warren were beaten by Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem at a rain-soaked Sandy Lane course in Barbados.
Ireland secured a place after Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin finished second in qualifying in Aruba last weekend.
Open champion Padraig Harrington turned down a chance to play in the event while Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke opted not to play in the qualifiers.
The $5m tournament takes place at the Mission Hills Club, in Shenzhen, from 22-25 November.
South Africa's two-time US Open champion Reteif Goosen will be partnered by Trevor Immelman while Canada's 2003 Masters winner Mike Weir will link up with little-known Wes Heffernan.
Spain will be represented by Mission Hills course designer Jose Maria Olazabal, who has already selected his close friend, Miguel Angel Jimenez.
The host nation will be represented by veteran Zhang Liang-wei, the first Chinese golfer to win on the European Tour, and Liang Wen-chong, the most recent player from China to win in Europe.
Arron Oberholser and Sean O'Hair take up the United States challenge.
The World Cup will be held in China every year until 2018 but has lost its six-year association with the World Golf Championships.
Pairings: World Cup, Shenzhen from 22-25 November.
Argentina: Andres Romero & Ricardo GonzalezAustralia: Nick O'Hern & Nathan Green Austria: Markus Brier & Claude GrenierCanada: Mike Weir & Wes HeffernanChina: Liang Wen-chong & Zhang Lian-weiColombia: Gustavo Mendoza & Jorge BenedettiDenmark: Anders Hansen & Soren HansenEngland: Justin Rose & Ian PoulterFrance: Raphael Jacquelin & Gregory HavretFinland: Mikko Ilonen & Pasi PurhonenGermany: Martin Kaymer & Alex CejkaIndia: Jyoti Randhawa & Gaurev GheiIreland: Michael Hoey & Gareth Maybin Italy: Edoardo Molinari & Francesco Molinari Japan: Hideto Tanihara & Tetsuji HiratsukaKorea: Lee Seung-ho & Lee Sung Netherlands: Robert-Jan Derksen & Maarten Lafeber New Zealand: Richard Lee & Stephen Scahill Paraguay: Carlos Franco & Fabrizio Zanotti Philippines Tony Lascuna & Gerald Rosales Puerto Rico: Wilfredo Morales, Miguel Suarez Scotland: Colin Montgomerie & Marc WarrenSouth Africa: Retief Goosen & Trevor ImmelmanSpain: Jose Maria Olazábal & Miguel Angel JimenezSweden: Robert Karlsson & Peter HansonThailand: Thongchai Jaidee & Prayad Marksaeng USA: Arron Oberholser & Sean O'HairWales: Stephen Dodd & Bradley Dredge

Montgomerie eyes role under Faldo

Colin Montgomerie says he would consider being vice-captain for the European team in next year's Ryder Cup.

Captain Nick Faldo is looking to replace Paul McGinley, who quit the role last week.

Montgomerie said: "I'd be delighted to help the cause in any way. As a playing vice-captain? Could be."

But the Scot questioned Faldo's approach to the appointment, telling BBC 5live that the decision should be made a month before the event.

Interview: Colin Montgomerie

He explained: "The best vice-captain position we've ever had was when Bernhard Langer selected Thomas Bjorn a month before the 2004 event when Thomas unfortunately failed to qualify for the team.

Send in your thoughts

"I would have a look at who hasn't qualified and any experienced Ryder Cup players I would take with me at that stage - a month before the event.
"The vice-captains, to be honest, are just names at this stage. There's nothing much going on right now. That's what I would do but of course Nick's a different animal."

Montgomerie, who is an eight times winner of the European Order of Merit, has been tipped as the European captain for the 2010 event at Celtic Manor.

The 44-year-old Scotsman is an obvious candidate, having won 23½ points in his eight matches - a record bettered only by Faldo himself.
Faldo captained a Great Britain and Ireland team containing Montgomerie to a 16½-11½ against Continental Europe in the recent Seve Trophy in Ireland.

"He was as I expected Nick to be," said Montgomerie. "He had everything worked out."

Dougherty secures Dunhill victory

FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD

:-18 N Dougherty (GB)

-16 J Rose (GB)

-15 R McIlroy (NI)

-14 B Lane (GB), Pa Lawrie (GB)

Selected others:

-13 E Els (SA)

-12 P Harrington (Ire)

-11 P Casey (GB)

Englishman Nick Dougherty captured his second European title, securing the Dunhill Links Championship with a two-stroke victory at St Andrews.

The 25-year-old began the final day with a three-shot lead but soon saw that slip away with opening bogeys.

But he posted three successive birdies to card a 71 and finish on 18 under, two shots ahead of Justin Rose.

Irish teenager Rory McIlroy earned his Tour card in only his second pro event by securing third place after a 68.

Nick Dougherty's links tips

Ernie Els tied for sixth on 13 under with compatriot Trevor Immelman but was left to rue a calamitous triple bogey seven at the 16th.

This is the win I've been after for two years and I'm very proud of myself
Nick Dougherty

The South African putted into a bunker from just off the back of the green and took four more to get down, a three-putt culminating in a miss from two feet.

Els had moved level with Dougherty but the Englishman never lost his lead.

Rose's challenge faded when he bogeyed the legendary 17th, the Road Hole, and Dougherty was also able to take five there without jeopardising his control of the event.

"This is a life-changing win for me but I felt very nervous at the start of the day," admitted Dougherty, who jumps to the top of the European Ryder Cup points table.

"I've been in this position before and it's not gone right but I spoke to my fitness coach, Ron Cuthbert, before going out and he told me to use the nerves as a positive thing.

"He said if I wasn't nervous it would be a bad thing and he told me to enjoy these moments. He was a real help.

"I got off to a pretty bad start but I trusted myself and my ability. I had some big players, like Ernie and Justin, chasing me but I got the job done. This is the win I've been after for two years and I'm very proud of myself."

I knew at the start of the week I needed to do something pretty special to get my Tour card and I am absolutely ecstatic
Rory McIlroy

The impressively assured McIlroy became the youngest player to clinch his card.

"I knew at the start of the week I needed to do something pretty special to get my tour card and I am absolutely ecstatic," the 18-year-old said.

McIlroy showed admirable resilience after driving out of bounds at the 14th and running up a double bogey, finishing with three birdies in the closing four holes.

"When I talked about my chances of making the card this week to Lee Westwood he told me I could win the tournament," he said.

"When someone like Lee tells you that it gives you a lot of confidence. Hopefully this is a huge step for bigger and better things."

Open champion Padraig Harrington finished in a share of eighth at 12 under to retain his lead in the European Tour Order of Merit standings.