Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Shane Lowry closed with a bogey after successive birdies at 16 and 17

Oosthuizen leads Open as Irish off to mixed start

Shane Lowry began his year-delayed defence of the Open title with a one-over 71 at Royal St George's while Rory McIlroy finished a shot further ahead in the best round by an Irishman.

Golf • 15 Jul 21

Shane Lowry is hoping to be in with a chance of winning on Sunday

Lowry admits the Open 'bubble' could work in his favour

Shane Lowry admits the one-year delay to the defence of his Open title – and even the Covid-19 "bubble" – could work in his favour at Royal St George's.

Golf • 12 Jul 21

Padraig Harrington finished 11 under par at the Scottish Open

Harrington daring to dream of third Open triumph

Padraig Harrington is preparing himself for a test of "mental fortitude" as he dares to contemplate challenging for a third Open title.

Golf • 12 Jul 21

World No 18 Hideki Matsuyama won the Masters in April

Matsuyama and Watson out of Open due to Covid

Reigning Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama has withdrawn from the the 149th Open at Royal St George's after returning a positive Covid-19 test.

Golf • 11 Jul 21

Shane Lowry will defend his title later this month after the 2020 event was cancelled

Open champion prize money to exceed $2m for first time

The winner of the Open Championship will receive more than two million dollars for the first time, tournament organisers have announced.

Golf • 01 Jul 21

Up to 32,000 will be allowed into the Open each day

R&A 'prioritise safety' amid Covid measure concerns

The R&A insists player safety is its "absolute priority" amid reports that strict coronavirus protocols could lead to withdrawals from the Open Championship.

Golf • 25 Jun 21

Shane Lowry secured the Claret Jug on the north Antrim coast in 2019

Lowry will defend Open title in front of large crowds

Shane Lowry will finally get to defend The Open when the prestigious tournament begins on 15 July and there will be up to 32,000 spectators each competition day at this year's championship.

Golf • 19 Jun 21

Qualifying places for The Open will be on offer at the Irish Open

Irish Open to offer Open Championship places

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will offer qualifying places into The 149th Open at Royal St George's, tournament organisers have confirmed.

Golf • 05 Jun 21

Shane Lowry become the fifth Irish winner of the Claret Jug in 2019

Open organisers expect fans to figure at Lowry defence

The R&A is increasingly confident that a "significant" number of spectators will be in attendance when Shane Lowry finally gets to defend his Open Championship in July.

Golf • 11 May 21

A view of the first tee with the clubhouse behind at Royal St. George's Golf Club

Open organisers alter qualifying format

The R&A has announced a revised format for regional and final qualifying for this year's Open Championship due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Golf • 10 Mar 21

Darren Clarke triumphed at Royal St George's when the course last staged The Open in 2011

Open organisers proceeding with 'cautious optimism'

The R&A is continuing to plan for a "full-scale" Open Championship in July following last year's postponement due to coronavirus.

Golf • 10 Feb 21

Royal St George's hosts the Open Championship in July

Open Championship will go ahead - with or without fans

The Open Championship will go on this summer, even if there won't be spectators.

Golf • 02 Feb 21

The sun sets on the 11th hole at Royal Liverpool golf club

The Open to be held at Royal Liverpool in 2023

The 151st Open Championship will be played at Royal Liverpool in 2023 and the 2024 tournament will be at Royal Troon, golf's governing body the R&A has confirmed.

Golf • 07 Dec 20

Open remains on as Premier League stars feel heat

Organisers of The Open are considering whether to postpone the 2020 Championship while Premier League footballers are coming under increasing pressure to take a pay cut.

Golf • 03 Apr 20

'We are continuing to work through our options for The Open this year, including postponement'

The Open organisers not ruling out postponement option

The organisers of the Open Championship say they have yet to come to a decision about whether to postpone the 2020 tournament.

Golf • 02 Apr 20

It will be the 10th time the Scottish course has hosted the game's oldest major

Royal Troon confirmed as 2023 Open host

Tournament organisers the R&A have confirmed that Royal Troon will host the 152nd Open Championship in 2023.

Golf • 25 Feb 20

Shane Lowry laps up the adulation of the crowd at Portrush

The Clara Jug - Four Days In Portrush

Last July Offaly's Shane Lowry joined golf's most elite group of players when he won his first major, one of the sport's four most prestigious tournaments. This RTÉ Radio 1 documentary relives that special weekend.

Golf • 27 Dec 19

Shane Lowry cradles the Claret Jug in July

Lowry eyeing Race to Dubai charge to top 'decent year'

Shane Lowry believes becoming European number one will be the "icing on the cake" of a season which has already produced his first major title.

Golf • 05 Nov 19

Open champion Shane Lowry with the Claret Jug on his homecoming in Clara

Lowry: My ambition to play for Harrington in Ryder Cup

Europe will defend the title they won last year away to the US at Whistling Straits in late September 2020 - and the Open champion wants to be part of it.

Golf • 04 Oct 19