Darren Clarke wins the 140th British Open Golf Championship 2011

Darren Clarke, 42 year Northern Irishman took his maiden major title shooting a final round of 70 five under to hold off Americans Phil Mickelson (68) and Dustin Johnson (72). Clarke’s 3 other rounds included a 68, 68 and 69 He is currently ranked 111 in the world

Royal St. George’s, 14th – 17th July

With 24 Nations represented , the British Open commences this Thursday without too much offering from the US. American golf isn’t doing too well with five straight majors without a victory.

The strength has come from two Northern Ireland golfers and two from South Africa. They are Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Charles Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. Phil Mickelson was the last American to capture a title at the 2010 Masters.

American Nick Watney claimed the $1.12 million win after shotting a final-round 4- under-par 66 to win the AT&T National. This is his second title on golf’s U.S. PGA Tour this year. He finished the tournament at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, at 13-under-par 267, two shots ahead of runner-up K.J. Choi of South Korea. Play began early today because of the threat of thunderstorms in the area

“It’s a very addictive feeling to be out there and under the gun and to be able to hit good shots and putts,” Watney told reporters. “That’s why I play.”

A week after Rory McIlroy turned the U.S. Open into a disarray, Golf gitfted World No. 1 Yani Tseng, has achieved the same in the LPGA Championship, the second major of the season on the LPGA tour. Starting Sunday's last round with a five-stroke lead she made birdies on five of her first eight holes and finally finished with a 10-stroke victory over Morgan Pressel at the Locust Hill Country Club.

McIlroy has battered possibly the toughest test in US Open golf. In two days McIlroy signed for a 66 and a 36 hole total of 131. This is the lowest in US Open Golf history and an amazing 11 under par.

“I have tried to change my demeanour. I needed to be more cocky, more arrogant on the course, to try to have an attitude.” McIlroy said. “When I get into these positions it is important that I don’t get ahead of myself and start to play defensively.”

Tiger Woods played well except on the greens and opened the Australian Masters with a 2-under 69 and was four shots behind the early leaders Thursday at Victoria Golf Club.
Woods has said he wasn’t looking at this trip to Melbourne as the close of a year that cost him his marriage and his golf game, rather it was a tournament he was trying to win. He has had a difficult time on the golf greens, but generally thought he was on track at this stage.

"I could have easily been 4, 5, 6 under," Woods said. "I don't know what the guys are going to do this afternoon, but I'm right there."

Dr Barry Morgan, The Archbishop of Wales will conduct a service at the only church sited on a golf course before the Ryder commences at Newport’s Celtic Manor Hotel on 1st October. The stone church is St Peter, a 13th Norman church adjoining St Pierre golf club in Chepstow.

The service will be broadcast on radio just before Europe challenges the US in the world’s biggest golf-team contest. The Ryder Cup.

You can’t underestimate Tiger Woods focus regarding next month’s Ryder Cup, at Celtic Manor’s Wales when it’s clear he retains an “intimidation factor” despite his lack of success this year. Woods is still ranked as the No. 1 player and made it on the United States team defending the Ryder Cup, after receiving a wild card from Captain Corey Pavin, along with Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and the 21-year-old Rickie Fowler . Woods has not won a tournament this year.

It’s thought the tax man might take a great interest in this Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in three weeks’ time. Sure, a lot of them must play and follow golf, but this seems to be for a different reason. All the 24 players in the Ryder Cup will be fitted out in the official European and American team uniforms chosen for each of the five rounds of golf.

Although the uniforms have been selected, the golfers may choose to wear the golf shoes of their choice, and that will make them liable for a very large tax bill of several million pounds.

Charley Hoffman finished at 22 under par to claim his second Tour win on Labor Day.

He moved up 57 spots to No. 2 in the FedEx Cup standings, giving him a shot at the $10 million bonus. He now gets to play all four majors, after not getting into any of them this year. These include, Magnolia Lane at Augusta National to compete in his first Masters.