EUROPEAN AMATEUR:Ireland gave a truly inspirational performance to crush Sweden over the rugged Western Gailes links on the Ayrshire coast yesterday and coast into the semi-finals of the European Amateur Team championship.
They exceeded all expectations to win 6-1 and will face England, the defending champions, today for a place in the final.
And after a complete whitewash in the singles, Irish captain Michael Burns had every reason to smile and look forward to today.
"They played super golf. They got off to a great start and took command early on. All the players were under par and it showed today what a well-balanced team we are," said Burns.
After sharing the foursomes at one match each, Rory McIlroy, who had excellent scores of 67 and 69 in the qualifying, was again in fine fettle, beating Jonas Blixt 4 and 2 with a three-under-par total.
Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell, who set a new course record 65 on Tuesday, had the biggest Irish win of all overcoming Joel Sjoholm 5 and 4. Richard Kilpatrick eased to a 3 and 2 success against Bjorn Akesson which ensured victory for Ireland before Simon Ward and finally Shane Lowry won to complete the rout.
In the other semi-final Scotland, who survived by the skin of their teeth against Spain - two matches were won on the 19th - face France who are looking for their first European team title.
USPGA:England's Greg Owen was in a five-way group at three-under-par 67 to set the early target in the AT&T National, at the Congressional Country Club Bethesda, Maryland yesterday.
Joining Owen at the top of the leaderboard were Jeff Quinney, Fred Funk, Corey Pavin and Steve Stricker.
One shot back with half the field in the clubhouse were Billy Andrade and Charles Warren.
LET TOUR:Swede Linda Wessberg fired a bogey-free six-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Ladies English Open at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent.
The 27-year-old from Gothenburg carded six birdies, with three on the front nine and three on the back nine, to lead by one over Wales' Becky Brewerton and defending champion Cecilia Ekelundh of Sweden.
Wessberg, who collected her second LET title at the Vediorbis Open de France Dames a fortnight ago, gave herself a strong chance of becoming the third Swedish winner of the event in the last four years, after Maria Hjorth won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005 before Ekelundh's win in 2006.
Ireland's Claire Coughlan and Rebecca Coakley carded scores of one-over-par 73 while Martina Gillen has work to do after a 78.
CHALLENGE TOUR:Michael Lorenzo-Vera continued his exemplary Challenge Tour form with an outstanding opening four-under-par 67 in cold, gusty conditions to move into a three-shot lead at the AGF Allianz Open des Volcans - Challenge de France.
Michael McGeady was best of the Irish on 75, with Stephen Browne on 77 and David Mortimer on 79.
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