Rory McIlroy speaks after his round. Picture: Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieTalking the talk is one thing but Rory McIlroy walked the walked and backed up his belief that he is closer to winning the WGC-HSBC Champions than missing the season-ending DP World Tour Championship when he opened with a seven under 65 to take two shot lead at Sheshan International in Shanghai.

Rory McIlroy shows his frustration after a missed putt at the eighth. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy might be looking “ominous” from tee to green but the world No 6 was furious to close with a double bogey in the BMW Masters.

Simon Dyson is keen to hold on to the Irish Open trophy. Picture © GettyImagesSimon Dyson will bid to become the first player for 15 years to successfully defend the Irish Open when the €2million event takes place at Royal Portrush Golf Club from June 28-July 1, writes the European Tour.
 
Successive rounds of 67 over the weekend at last year’s Irish Open earned Dyson his sixth European Tour title, and the Englishman has now set his sights on following in the illustrious footsteps of Colin Montgomerie, who took the coveted title in 1996 and 1997.

Yorkshire terrier on the loose. Simon Dyson with the Irish Open trophy. Credit: Fran Caffre/www.golffile.ieSimon Dyson is looking for major glory after a final hole crumble by Richard Green helped him hoover up the Irish Open title.

The Yorkshire terrier, 33, fired a closing four under 67 to set the target at 15 under par and then looked on as left-hander Green agonisingly three-putted the last to miss out on a play-off by a shot.

Peter Lawrie has a chance to win the Irish Open on Sunday. Photo Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieAs Rory McIlroy was outgunned by David Howell, “Pistol” Peter Lawrie headed the Irish challenge in Killarney and insisted he will come out “all guns blazing” in search of Irish Open glory in Sunday’s final round.