Ortiz-Patiño and Olazabal Honoured

The European Tour welcomed six new Honorary Life Vice Presidents in 2010, with Gaston Barras, Claude-Roger Cartier, Masato and Akito Mizuno, Don Jaime Ortiz-Patiño and Johann Rupert accepting awards for their colossal contribution to the Tour over the past quarter of a century. It brings to a total of 15, the number of people who have been given the accolade over the years.

Gaston Barras, the irrepressible driving force behind the Omega European Masters, has been a member of the golf club committee at Crans-sur-Sierre since 1954, and has been President of the club since 1981. He has also been President of the Organising Committee of the European Masters since 1964 and a committee member of the Swiss Golf Association from 1969 to 1997, serving as President for the last six years of his tenure.

Claude-Roger Cartier, Honorary President of the Federation Française de Golf, has played a key role in the development of golf across Europe. When John Jacobs was appointed the first Tournament Director-General of the Professional Golfers’ Association, tasked with uniting Great Britain and Ireland with the continent of Europe, Cartier’s support was vital and unstinting in immediately seeing and believing in the vision of ‘One Europe’ for the professional circuit, which would later become The European Tour.

Masato Mizuno, Chairman of the Mizuno Corporation, and Akito Mizuno, President of the Mizuno Corporation, accepted their awards during The Open Championship at St Andrews in recognition of The European Tour’s longest running agreement with the world renowned golf club manufacturer. The Mizuno workshop has become a familiar sight on the driving ranges of The European Tour for the past 27 years and featured at 25 tournaments in 11 countries on The 2010 Race to Dubai. The Mizuno team of expert technicians continue to provide a service of club repair and adjustment to all players, irrespective of which brand of club they play.

Don Jaime Ortiz-Patiño is the Bolivian-born owner of one of The European Tour’s most iconic venues – the magnificent Valderrama on Spain’s southern coast. It was Patiño’s vision that saw The Ryder Cup being played on European soil for the first time in 1997, when Seve Ballesteros’s European Team sealed a dramatic 14½ - 13½ over the USA to retain Samuel Ryder’s famous trophy. That historic week was the culmination of a journey that began in 1956 and saw Patiño build one of the best courses in the world that would stage one of The European Tour’s most prestigious events, the season-ending Volvo Masters from 1988-1996, and from 2002-2008.

Johann Rupert, Chairman of the Swiss-based luxury goods company Richemont, is one of the Tour’s most valued sponsors with an association spanning 25 years having brought the Alfred Dunhill Cup to St Andrews in 1985. His tournament has evolved into the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a unique event that brings together the world’s best golfers, notable sportsmen and women as well as celebrities from film and television in a festival of golf over the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. 

Rupert also serves as the Chairman of the South African PGA Tour, The European Tour’s oldest co-sanctioning partner, and the South African Golf Development Board. He developed the Gary Player-designed Leopard Creek Golf Club in Mpumalanga, which is consistently rated as one of South Africa’s best golf courses.

After 25 years.......

In around three months time, just before the 2011 Masters Tournament tees off among the dogwood and azaleas at Augusta National, a significant milestone will be reached. The Official World Golf Ranking will be 25 years old.

And although the World Ranking may have confused some and irritated others in equal measure, it has become the yardstick by which all professional golfers are measured – and it’s here to stay.

As the Silver Anniversary approaches on April 6 next year, there has never been a better time to examine just how much the world of golf – and The European Tour in particular - has changed in the last quarter of a century.

Only 13 golfers to have reached the summit of the professional game, with England’s Lee Westwood being the most recent when he usurped Tiger Woods after 281 weeks at the top in October 2010, a year which, in the opinion of many observers, has been an annus mirabilis for The European Tour. It is a far cry from the dark days at the start of the new millennium when Westwood was the only Englishman in the top 100! 

The Official World Golf Ranking was devised by Tony Greer, a master statistician working for the late Mark McCormack’s IMG company, and the very first bulletin revealed that Germany’s Bernhard Langer was the best player on the planet when the Ranking was launched in April 1986.

In that first week almost 25 years ago, there were three European players qualified for the Masters – defending champion Langer, two-time winner Seve Ballesteros and Sandy Lyle. How times have changed.

As 2011 approaches, there are currently 27 Europeans, and a total of 34 European Tour Members qualified to receive their precious invitations from the Masters Committee, although Ballesteros and Sir Nick Faldo have indicated they won’t be playing next year.

The statistics for the leading 100 players in the World Ranking make fascinating reading when compared with 25 years ago, when the United States ruled the roost with 60 players, the Rest of the World 25 and Europe 15.

As of January 1, 2011, European-born players will occupy 36 places in the top 100 with the United States and the rest of the world contributing 32 apiece.

The composition of the top ten sees a significant shift in power towards Europe. In 1986 it was the USA who boasted five players with three from Europe and two from the Rest of the World. Today, there are six Europeans – Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy – in the top ten with the USA represented by Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker.

Additionally, Europe provides ten of the top 20, 14 of the top 32 and 18 of the top 50. A quarter of a century ago, there were three Europeans in the top 20, seven in the top 32 and eight in the top 50.

In terms of the numerical breakdown for nations competing in the top 200 of world golf, the United States still holds the whip hand with 64 players (down from 107) while England is statisatically the second strongest nation with 19 players, ahead of Australia on 18 and Japan with 17.

In April, the Official World Golf Ranking will celebrate its 25th birthday with The European Tour in buoyant shape and live prospects of a first European-born Masters winner since José Maria Olazábal in 1999. The 2011 season should be one to savour.

For the record – and the stats anoraks – the 13 World Number Ones have been Langer, Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Fred Couples, Nick Price, Tom Lehman, Woods, Ernie Els, David Duval, Vijay Singh and Westwood.

Going into the New Year, any one of the top 12 on the Ranking – from Number One Westwood to 12th-ranked Ernie Els – could make it to the top spot by the time that the OWGR 25th birthday party gets under way in April.

However, Westwood’s Number One spot will be under threat long before the flowers bloom at Augusta. Before the middle of February, The Race to Dubai will have seen another six events including four as part of an augmented ‘Gulf Swing’ in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar and Dubai – all commanding substantial ranking points.

Westwood, defending champion Martin Kaymer (third) and Phil Mickelson (fourth) will all contest the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship where victory would assuredly elevate any of that trio to Number One. 

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy will both be seeking to be upwardly mobile in 2011 and they, too, resume in Abu Dhabi while deposed Number One Woods will bid to win a third Omega Dubai Desert Classic title.

Els, the most recent winner after his success in the 100th South African Open Championship last weekend, has the most to do to reclaim the Number One position he has held on three different occasions in the 1990s.

That he could reclaim that position on the strength of a couple of big victories and a first Masters Green Jacket, illustrates just how tightly packed the Ranking is in the upper echelons.

Of the remaining 11, only Woods (a total of 623 weeks at the top) and Westwood have experienced the heady feeling of looking down on all their peers.

Mickelson, currently fourth and a long-time second behind Woods, has never made it. Nor has fifth placed Jim Furyk. Should Woods, Mickelson, Furyk and seventh-placed Steve Stricker failed to perform in the early months of 2011, then the field will be wide open for a European surge.

US PGA Champion Kaymer is third going into January; US Open Champion McDowell is sixth. Both would relish the opportunity to become Number One to add to all the accolades which have come their way in 201.

Eighth is Paul Casey, ninth is fellow Englishman Luke Donald with McIlroy occupying tenth position just one place ahead of the fourth Englishman in the top dozen, Ian Poulter.

Courtesy The European Tour

Kaymer and McDowell Make More History

Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell make history as joint winners of The 2010 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year.

Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell spent most of the 2010 season making golfing history and, fittingly, they ended the year in a similar vein when, for the first time since the award was initiated in 1985, they were voted as joint winners of The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year.

A respected judging panel featuring all sectors of the golfing media – newspapers, magazines, radio and television – debated the many merits of both men but when it came to the vote the result was split right down the middle, leading to the historic decision.

It was an appropriate conclusion to a groundbreaking season for European Tour Members in tournaments across the globe; a year which saw three – Louis Oosthuizen, Kaymer and McDowell – win Major Championships for the first time; a further trio – Ernie Els, Francesco Molinari and Ian Poulter – lift World Golf Championships; and the 2009 Golfer of the Year Lee Westwood displace Tiger Woods as World Number One before ensuring he would begin 2011 in that position following his success in the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

On The European Tour International Schedule, Miguel Angel Jiménez became, at the age of 46 years and 243 days, the oldest player to win three times in one season while at a mere 17 years and 188 days, Matteo Manassero became the youngest Tour winner in history.

Furthermore Bernhard Langer, the winner of the inaugural Golfer of the Year award in 1985, claimed two Senior Major titles in consecutive weeks on his way to winning the US Champions Tour Player of the Year and Money List for the third consecutive season, while on the regular US PGA Tour, European Tour Members dominated the mid-season with seven victories in 11 weeks.

All of the above players were commended by the panel for their achievements but, in terms of the Golfer of the Year, it was the respective feats of Kaymer and McDowell which stood out.

Kaymer, 25, won four times on The European Tour International Schedule, capturing the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at the start of the season and three tournaments in a row during a sensational autumn spell, a run which began with his first Major Championship victory when he came from behind in a three-hole play-off at Whistling Straits to beat American Bubba Watson to the US PGA Championship title.

He then followed that with a win on his return to competitive stroke play action in the KLM Open in the Netherlands before triumphing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. It was a run which provided the platform for him to also finish Number One on The Race to Dubai with record season earnings of €4,461,011.

In the midst of his triumphant autumn, he also made his Ryder Cup debut at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, returning two and a half points from his four matches including a vital fourball victory in the first match of the entire contest, in partnership with Lee Westwood, against Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.

Kaymer said: “This has been a truly great year for me and winning this award is the perfect ending. It is recognition for my performances in 2010 and to be voted for by the golfing media, the people who watch and report on our sport throughout the year, makes me feel very proud.

“I am always trying to follow in Bernhard Langer’s footsteps and to see that I have now won an award that he was the first to win back in 1985 is very satisfying indeed. I followed in his footsteps earlier this season by winning a Major Championship, playing in a winning Ryder Cup Team and being given Honorary Membership of The European Tour and now I have taken another step by winning the Golfer of the Year Award. But he is still many steps ahead of me!

“Graeme and I had pretty much the same level of success this season in terms of the Majors and on The European Tour and he deserves this recognition as much as I do. His winning match in The Ryder Cup was huge for all of Europe and for both of us to now make history in terms of sharing this award for the first time, represents a very proud moment for both our families and also shows how strong European golf is right now.”

McDowell, 31, won three times on The European Tour International Schedule, beginning with victory in The Celtic Manor Wales Open in June on The Twenty Ten Course where he would play such a pivotal role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph a mere four months later.

Like Kaymer, he then went on to pick up his first Major Championship victory in the United States, an emotional success in the US Open Championship at Pebble Beach where his dad Kenny was on hand, on Fathers’ Day, to see his son become the first European golfer to win the US Open in 40 years, since Tony Jacklin triumphed at Hazeltine National in 1970.

His third victory came in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters at the end of October, a win which helped reignite The Race to Dubai and he chased Kaymer all the way to the final event – the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates – eventually having to settle for a career high of second place with season earnings of €3,896,995.

Sandwiched between his victories in the United States and Spain was his second Ryder Cup appearance and one which ended in nail-biting fashion as, in the last singles out on the course, he was handed the task of getting Europe over the winning line which he achieved with a thrilling 3 and 1 victory over Hunter Mahan which saw Colin Montgomerie’s Team win 14 ½ - 13 ½. Like Kaymer, he too contributed two and a half points overall to the European cause.

McDowell, who climbed to a career-high seventh on the Official World Golf Ranking following his victory in the Chevron World Challenge, said: “I am truly humbled to accept this coveted award. It is the icing on the cake on what has been a very special year for myself, Martin and everyone involved in European golf. It is an honour to share this award with a player of Martin’s calibre. He is one of the best players of our generation and I am sure will enjoy many more successes in the years to come.

“We have both enjoyed superb seasons, winning our first Major Championships and numerous other tournaments across the world. However, to be jointly voted European Tour Golfer of the Year by the members of the media makes me very proud. I would like to thank everyone involved with The European Tour and the wider golf media for their hard work in promoting our sport around the world.

“I achieved many of my dreams this season and feel fortunate to have enjoyed some very special moments. However, the highlight of the year for me was being a part of the winning European Ryder Cup Team at Celtic Manor. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of The Ryder Cup and the experience of playing for both your team-mates and the European fans under the most extreme pressure. I hope that I am lucky enough to play in many more successful teams in the future.”

Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent of BBC Radio Five Live and a member of the judging panel, explained the reason why the historic verdict to give the award jointly had been taken. “Like Colin Montgomerie when he was faced with the decision of who to select for his wild cards for The Ryder Cup, I think the panel faced the most difficult judgement call in the history of this award,” he said.

“It is an extraordinary move I know but one which we felt reflected an extraordinarily successful year for The European Tour and one which also properly honoured two men who are not only exceptional golfers, but who are also exceptional people and who both promoted European golf superbly in 2010.

“Both won their first Major Championships in 2010 and were part of a winning European Ryder Cup Team and, wherever you looked during the season they always seemed to be together at the head of affairs. Even their statistics show that while Martin narrowly shaded the Stroke Average Category by 70.04 to 70.07, in the Putts per Greens in Regulation Category, Graeme had the edge by 1.755 to 1.756.

“These margins are too close to differentiate one of these great golfers from another and it was fitting to see that they ended their season tied together in 13th place in the Dubai World Championship. They were side by side in the desert and the panel could not separate them so therefore they will stand side by side in the history books as winners of this prestigious award.”

McIlory Returns to Hong Kong

Rory McIlroy clocks up more air travel this week as he heads to Hong Kong - after a short break at home following the HSBC Champions in Shanghai two weeks ago - to play in the UBS Hong Kong Open where he finished two strokes behind Gregory Bourdy of France last year. 

McIlroy will join the rest of the Irish contingent - Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey, Gareth Maybin and Shane Lowry – who all arrive from the Barclays Singapore Open which ran into a fifth day following heavy thunderstorms that delayed the completion of the final round on Sunday. 

Peter Lawrie, who finished sixth last year at the Hong Kong Golf Club, also plays this week. 

Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane return to action as well after missing the cut at in Singapore. 

Ian Poulter of England joins Major Champions YE Yang and America, John Daly after finishing sixth in Singapore – unable to reclaim the title this year – to move up to 14th in the World Rankings. 

However Poulter still harbours ambitions of scaling the World Rankings over the coming months, with the UBS Hong Kong Open among the events he is hoping can put him into contention. 

“Look at the World Rankings from a point’s perspective - Tiger Woods has dropped all of his points; therefore he has come back to the pack. Nobody has really gone to him,” said Poulter. 

“With that in mind, anybody in the top 10 in the world who has a good six months can find themselves move up the World Ranking high enough to contend for that Number One spot – and that’s something I’m aiming for.” 

Yang is Asian golf’s biggest draw having become the first man from the Far East to win a Major Championship at the 2009 US PGA Championship. 

John Daly made his Major breakthrough by winning the US PGA title back in 1991, remains one of golf’s most popular characters, attracting huge support wherever he plays in the world. 

The American, who also won the 1995 Open Championship at St Andrews, last played at the Hong Kong Golf Club at the end of 2008 when he treated the crowd to a brilliant eight under par final round 62. 

"I’m looking forward to coming back to play Hong Kong and it would be real nice to have 4 nice rounds like I had in 2008 on that Sunday,” said Daly. 

“I've always enjoyed this tournament having been several times over the years, but I was amazed at how it has grown so much when I returned two years ago.

The Hong Kong Open is Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event. 

Beginning in 1959, the Hong Kong Open became part of The European Tour International Schedule in the 2002 season and has a rich history of winners including nine different Major Champions who have amassed 25 Major titles between them. 

Under the stewardship of UBS, the total prize fund has increased every year from US$1.2 million in the 2006 season to the US$2.5 million figure which will be on offer at the Fanling venue in November. The winner in November will pocket a cheque for US$416,660, compared to the US$200,000 won by Colin Montgomerie four years ago. 

Frenchman Grégory Bourdy is the defending champion for the 2010 edition of the UBS Hong Kong Open – which will be co-sanctioned by The European Tour, the Asian Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA). 

Play Resumes at Singapore Open

Play in the final round of the Barclays Singapore Open has been delayed due to thunderstorms.

Adam Scott, Ian Poulter and Kang Kyung-nam were in a share of the lead on 14 under par when proceedings were brought to a halt due to the weather.

Both Poulter and Kang had just birdied the third to draw level with Scott. Graeme McDowell and Anders Hansen were tied for fourth on 12 under through four holes.

The final round will restart at 17.15 local time following a five and a half hour suspension due to thunderstorms in the area. Play will continue until darkness and resume at 7.30am on Monday.

Barclays Singapore Open leader board

Play suspended in Singapore Open

Final round play was suspended at 11.48am local time due to thunderstorms in the area.

Barclays Singapore Open leader board 

GMAC Trails Scott, Poulter and Kang

Graeme McDowell is only two off the pace after a round of 68 - that included a 50 foot birdie putt on the 14th - at the Barclays Singapore Open but still trails three players – Adam Scott, Ian Poulter and Kyung-nam Kang - who carded more birdies on the day. 

At the end of day three Adam Scott of Australia holds a one shot lead over defending champion Ian Poulter and Korea's Kyung-nam Kang at the Barclays Singapore Open after a dramatic third round at Sentosa Golf Club. 

The Australian had started the day with a two shot lead but was dragged into an epic tussle with playing partner Poulter down the back nine of the Serapong Course, with the 2005 and 2006 winner eventually emerging with the narrowest of leads. 

The 30 year old signed for a round of 69 - 14 under par - while Poulter carded two birdies and an eagle in a round of 68. 

World Number 567 Kang is also right in the frame having seemingly been out of the running when he ran up a double bogey seven at the seventh - only to finish with a back nine of 30 shots. 

Both Scott and Poulter opened their accounts with birdies at the par three second, the Englishman hitting his tee shot to within six feet. 

But Scott bogeyed the next and despite a birdie at the par five fourth found himself level at the top of the leader board when Poulter eagled the same hole. 

Six-time European Tour winner Scott went back in front with a birdie at the seventh after hitting his approach to four feet, but there was a decisive swing at the tenth as Poulter went ahead for the first time. 

The Ryder Cup star sunk a 20 foot birdie putt, while Scott missed his par effort from five feet. 

Although Poulter then produced a series of clutch putts there was nothing he could do to rescue par with wayward tee shot at the par three 14th. And Scott regained the outright lead when he drained a 12 footer at the 16th for birdie. 

The former World Number Three could have held an even bigger advantage - at the par five last Poulter caught a flyer with his approach and was left with a near-impossible downhill birdie putt, while Scott's magnificent approach stopped five feet from the pin. 

But the Australian misread the line, and Poulter once again bravely holed from a similar distance to save par and tee up an enthralling final day. 

It is far from a two-horse race, however, with Kang's masterful approach to within three feet on the 18th highlighting the 27 year old's talent in a 67 that included eight birdies. 

Martin Kaymer is tied for 14th on seven under. 

Dane Anders Hansen produced a best-of-the-day 65 to hold fifth on 11 under, one shot ahead of Wales' Jamie Donaldson. 

Peter Lawrie signed for a 68 for a 7 under par total after eagling the par 5 seventh hole. 

Michael Hoey was home in 76 following double bogeys on holes 4 and 7 to fall back to one under par. 

Shane Lowry lost the momentum of Friday with a third round 75 – including a double at the second - to drop back to one over par. 

Gareth Maybin returned an uncharacteristic card 79 - considering his form of recent weeks - following double bogeys at the 4th, 7th and 13th with two more dropped shots on the day to end two over par overall. 

Earlier in the day Irish players missed the cut when they completed their weather delayed second round on Saturday morning.

Five Fail in Singapore

Five Irish players missed the cut in the weather delayed second round of the Barclays Singapore Open which was completed on Saturday morning.

Damien McGrane finished 2 under, Darren Clarke (-2), Padraig Harrington (-1), Paul McGinley (+10) and Gary Murphy – who had completed his round on Friday.


Barclays Singapore Open leaderboard

Lowry Finds Route 66 in Delays

Shane Lowry carded five birdies through nine holes - to overturn his opening round of 73 - and move to three under at the Barclays Singapore Open inside the projected cut. 

Adam Scott of Australia also put himself in a strong position of securing an unprecedented third Barclays Singapore Open title by charging into the second round clubhouse lead on Friday. 

Scott, winner of the tournament in 2005 and 2006, enjoyed a magical six-hole stretch where he posted five birdies and one eagle to turn in 29 before signing off with a six-under-par 65 for a 12-under-par 130 total at the Sentosa Golf Club, Tanjong course. 

Title holder Ian Poulter of England sank his longest career putt from 100 feet for birdie on the last hole to close on 63 for a 132 total, two strokes behind Scott at the US$6 million event co sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour. 

An in-form Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland birdied the opening four holes before stumbling to a 68 to share third place with Fred Andersson Hed of Sweden and Kang Kyung-nam of Korea on a 133 total. 

Asian Tour members Rikard Karlberg of Sweden, Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, Chinese star Liang Wen-chong and Jeev Milkha Singh of India, a former Barclays Singapore Open champion in 2008, battled to a 134 total to stay in touch with the leader. 

Scott returned this morning to complete the first round and after playing 30 holes today, he was delighted to be in the running to seal a third victory in Singapore. 

“Every time you have won somewhere you always enjoy going back and you have good feelings. I have had a great run in Singapore in the past and it would be nice to have another great run over the weekend and get win number three,” said the dashing 30-year-old. 

“I need to rest as much as I possibly can and keep hydrated. We have a lot of golf to play in this tournament and the weather forecast is always a bit dodgy so you need to be alert at all times.” 

Poulter turned in 34 but burst into life on his inward nine where he carded six birdies. But the highlight was on the last hole where his massive putt propelled him into contention. 

“It was the very, very left edge of the back of the green and I reckon it is a good 100 feet, if not a touch more and I certainly can’t remember holing anything of that length in the past,” said Poulter of his 18th hole putt. 

After playing on the Tanjong course today, Poulter is raring to return to the challenging Serapong and is aiming to emulate his victory feat last year. 

“I’m looking forward to going back onto Serapong. It is definitely the harder of the two courses but I like that. I hear it might be a bit windy on Sunday which is good so I have to put myself up there in the hunt again,” he added. 

Former Asian Tour number one Liang, who finished second last year, put himself in contention again by firing six birdies and one eagle against two bogeys. 

Michael Hoey finished with a 67 to move up to 6 under par. 

Gareth Maybin was level for the day and on 5 under. 

Peter Lawrie carded a 71 for a four under par total. 

The second round was suspended due to darkness and a total of 28 players will resume their round at 7.30am tomorrow. 

Among those who did not finish are Damien McGrane (-3) through on hole 15, Darren Clarke (-1) through 15, Padraig Harrington (-2) through 15 and Paul McGinley (+7) through 13. 

Gary Murphy is outside the cut after a second round of 72 - to finish 9 over par overall - following an opening round of 79. The Kilkennyman's next golf assignment is the European Tour Qualifying School Stage 2 at El Valle Golf Resort in Murcia, Spain, on November 26 - 29th.

Barclays Singapore Open Leader board

Lowry Five Birdie Singapore Start

Shane Lowry has carded five birdies through nine holes - to overturn his opening round of 73 - and moves to three under at the Barclays Singapore Open inside the projected cut. 

Graeme McDowell and Adam Scott both made good starts to their second rounds at the Barclays Singapore Open to share the lead on nine under par. 

McDowell had spoken prior to the tournament of reducing Martin Kaymer's lead in the Race to Dubai standings and the Northern Irishman set about his task in determined fashion. 

With the first round delayed by four hours due to thunderstorms, McDowell was forced to finish his opening 18 holes on Friday morning and he posted a 65 that featured seven birdies and a bogey over the more difficult Serapong course at Sentosa Golf Club. 

The 31 year old then carried his fine form over to the Tanjon layout, birdieing the first four holes before a bogey at the fifth checked his progress. 

Scott, meanwhile, matched McDowell's 65 and the Australian then reeled off three birdies in a row from the third on the Tanjon course to climb into a share of the lead. 

The duo head Rickard Karlberg, the Swede one-under through 15 holes of the Serapong course, Japan's Hiroshi Iwata - three under after 10 - and overnight clubhouse leaders Chris Wood and Kim Bi-o by one stroke, the latter two yet to start their second rounds. 

Four players - Raphael Jacquelin, Keith Horne, Fredrik Andersson Hed and Shigeki Maruyama were at seven under par, while last week's World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions winner Francesco Molinari was in a group at six under. 

Ignacio Garrido, who had completed a blistering 62 on Friday morning to lead after the first round, had slipped back into a tie for 17th on five under after playing the first 10 holes of the Serapong course in four over par. 

Gareth Maybin is level after three holes to remain on 6 under. 

Peter Lawrie is four under and is level through 

Michael Hoey is one under through four holes. 

Gary Murphy is one under for the day and has moved up to 7 over par. 

Padraig Harrington is level through two holes. 

Darren Clarke has just stated and is level through one. 

Paul McGinley and Damien McGrane are late starters. 

Barclays Singapore Open leader board

Poulter faces tough day after storm

Ian Poulter faces tough day after Singapore Open storm - Telegraph

Maybin Shares Third in Clubhouse

Gareth Maybin has carded an opening round of 65 to finish third in the club house at the Barclays Singapore Open and two shots behind the current leaders Bi-o Kim of Korea and Chris Wood of England - both on 8 under - after rounds of 63. 

After play was delayed for four hours in the morning due to thunderstorms, Wood carded six birdies and an eagle in his eight under par effort to join playing partner Kim Bi-o at the head of the field. 

Jamie Donaldson of Wales signed for a five under 66 to lie joint third with Maybin, Japan's Shigeki Maruyamaand and Korean Ted Oh. 

Darren Clarke is four under after ten holes following four birdies on the front nine where he was joined by Miguel Angel Jiménez and former US PGA Championship winner Y E Yang. 

Padraig Harrington has dropped back to 3 under with Peter Lawrie - who has just played four holes. 

The leading players on the Serapong course came in the shape of Taiwan's Chan Yih-shin and Kang Kyung-nam from Korea who were three under. 

Phil Mickelson was one under after 11 holes.

In a departure from previous Singapore formats, each player will complete 18 holes at the Tanjong and Serapong courses over the first two rounds, with the weekend’s action taking place over the Serapong set-up. 

Michael Hoey is one under after 14 holes and is joined By Graeme McDowell – who has only played 3 holes. 

Damien McGrane has struggled since an eagle three at the fourth and is one over par through 12 holes after a double bogey on the 8th. 

Shane Lowry’s has signed for a 2 over par 73 added to his challenge of securing a top 60 place in The Race to Dubai at this event and next week in Hong Kong. 

Gary Murphy finished the day on 8 over par with five bogeys and a triple bogey on the 12th to sign for a 79.

No Singapore Slings for Murphy

Padraig Harrington has set an early pace on Thursday after an eagle on the par five 6th hole on The Tanjosa course at the Barclays Singapore Open and is now four under par - in share of third place – three behind current leader Chris Wood on 7 under.

Darren Clarke has just gone three under after a birdie on 6. 

Gareth Maybin is two under through ten holes. 

Damien McGrane is 2 under on the Serapong Course through four holes after an eagle three at the fourth. 

Michael Hoey is level after eight holes and joins Paul McGinley – who has only played four holes. 

Shane Lowry’s chase for a top 60 place in The Race to Dubai took a setback when he double bogeyed the fifth to go 1 over par through 15 holes. 

Any hopes Gary Murphy had of swinging a major result this week evaporated after four bogeys and a triple bogey on the 12th and is now 7 over par through 14 holes. 

Peter Lawrie and Graeme McDowell have yet to tee off.

Barclays Singapore Open Leader board

Rain Delays Singapore Battle

First round play restarted at 12.40pm - following a delay of four hours due to thunderstorms in the area.

Once played restarted the battle between Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell resumed as both have dual targets in their respective sights at the Barclays Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club this week.

Not only will the German and the Northern Irishman have their eyes on one of the most prestigious titles in Asia with its associated first prize of €713,165, they will also be viewing each other’s performance in what has turned out to be an intriguing Race to Dubai.

Following his three consecutive victories in the US PGA Championship, the KLM Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Kaymer looked to have somewhat of a stranglehold on the second Race to Dubai, but McDowell’s victory in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters two weeks ago put him very much back into the frame at only €531,806 behind the German.

“When I started this five week run for the Race to Dubai, I targeted this week because I know that I can play well here,” said McDowell. “After my good finish here last year (tied fifth) I thought the golf course here at Sentosa sets up pretty well for me.

“You’ve got to drive the ball into the fairway and you’ve got to think your way round the golf course a little. Of course, this week is the week which I’ve targeted as an important one in trying to catch Martin and obviously I got off to a great start in Valderrama.

“My goal is to go to Dubai as close to I can possibly be to Martin for the chance to win the Race to Dubai. We were pretty close last week (in China) but a huge week this week can punch a hole in his lead. If I can have a solid finish this week, play the way I can play and Martin continues to play the way he has been doing the last four, five months, he’ll be hard to catch. But I’ll trying hard.”

Kaymer said: “Graeme played good golf in Valderrama and he really deserved to win. I played with him on the Thursday and Friday and he played fantastic golf. It would have been a big surprise for me if he had not won there.

“But this is what golf is all about – to have the challenge to play against the best players in the world and he is obviously one of them. I don’t think we should forget Lee Westwood (in the Race to Dubai). He still has a chance because it is a big prize fund in Dubai and anything can happen there. It sounds so simple but I can only take care of my own game.”

Westwood is missing from the field at Sentosa due to his ongoing rehabilitation from a calf muscle injury but the player currently in fourth place – Italy’s Francesco Molinari – does tee up, fresh from his stunning victory in last week’s WGC-HSBC Champions in China.

Indeed the Italian will tee up alongside McDowell and China’s Liang wen-Chong in one of the feature groupings of the first day while Kaymer partners Australia’s Adam Scott and Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan.

Both those pairings begin their title challenge on the Serapong Course – the main course in action during the week – while World Number Four Phil Mickelson begins his quest on the adjacent Tanjong Course in the company of Italian teenager Matteo Manassero and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.

Phil Mickelson's quest for golf's No. 1 ranking may have suffered a setback in China last week, but the Masters champion expects a stronger performance starting Thursday at the Singapore Open.

Mickelson finished tied for 41st in Shanghai.

"I didn't play the best last week but I seem to play better the second week of my two-week stretch and hope to put it together this week," Mickelson said.

Mickelson said he hasn't "played the way I liked to this year other than the win in Augusta," and he faces another daunting field in the $6 million Singapore Open.

Among the 204-man field, is defending champion Ian Poulter, Asia's first major winner Y.E. Yang and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington.

Poulter, currently ranked 15th, has designs on eventually claiming the No. 1 spot. The top ranking was out of reach in the years when Tiger Woods was at his peak, but now Poulter sees a window of opportunity.

"Everybody is now in the frame to push forward," Poulter said. "With that in mind, anybody in the top 10 in the world has a good six months, can find themselves moving up the world ranking higher enough to contend for that No. 1 spot. And that's something I'm aiming for."

After a mid season lull, Poulter's play has picked up with a strong Ryder Cup showing, and he expects a strong title defense. Yang also started the year promisingly, getting a top-10 finish in the Masters, but has tailed off since.

"For many players, it would have been a successful year, but after the personal highs in 2009, it has been a bit disappointing, especially as I have not won on the PGA TOUR, where I play the majority of my golf," Yang said.

Poulter eyeing ranking in Singapore

Champion Ian Poulter arrives at Singapore Open eyeing golf's top ranking

Molinari Wins HSBC Champions

Francesco Molinari claimed victory at the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions following a battle with World Number One Lee Westwood in which the led from start to finish. 

Molinari - who claimed his only previous European Tour win at the 2006 Italian Open - carded a final round 67 to retain the one-shot lead he took into the final round at Sheshan International GC. 

Westwood produced a superb display throughout the week to illustrate why he has moved to the top of the Official World Golf Rankings. 

Richie Ramsay and Luke Donald shared third place on nine under, the former securing his place in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World as a result. 

The top five comprised entirely of European Tour members, with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy firing seven birdies in a closing 67 to finish a shot behind Ramsay and Donald. 

Molinari was the first to strike on Sunday morning, with a birdie at the second taking him two clear of Westwood. The leading duo matched each other shot for shot for the remainder of the front nine, picking up birdies at the third, fifth and eighth holes, before Westwood reduced his arrears with a three at the tenth. 

Molinari spurned an opportunity to extend his lead at the par five 14th hole when he missed a short putt for a four. 

The 15th also passed by without a change to either man’s score, although Westwood was forced to hole a superb 12 footer to salvage his par. 

Molinari was to pull clear again at the next - a short par four - after Westwood ran into trouble attempting to drive the green. 

The Englishman was left with a treacherous pitch over a greenside bunker and had to settle for a par. Molinari, meanwhile, opted to lay up with his tee shot and the move paid off as a superb wedge set up a simple birdie chance, which he duly converted. 

Westwood looked set to slip further back at the par-three 17th, after finding the sand, but he once again showed his mettle with a gutsy par putt to remain two behind. 

He then found the green in two at 18 to increase the pressure on Molinari, but was unable to sink his eagle putt. 

Tiger Woods carded a 69 for a share of 7th place on 7 under. 

Padraig Harrington finished with a round of 73 – after double bogeys on the 5th and 18th – to end the event in share of 16th place on 5 under. 

Martin Kaymer of Germany signed for 71 to finish two under for the event. 

Graeme McDowell was three under of the day – after a 69 - to finish one under par on Sunday. 

Phil Mickelson signed for a 73 to drop to one over par for the tournament.

FRANCESCO MOLINARI

• His second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 172nd European Tour event.

• His first European Tour victory since the 2006 Italian Open – a gap of four years and 185 days.

• Played in 125 European Tour events between victories.

• In that time has been second six times. They were: 2006 Omega European Masters, 2008 Mercedes-Benz Championship, 2009 Hong Kong Open (Nov 08), 2009 Portugal Masters, 2010 Alstom Open de France and 2010 Portugal Masters.

• His first WGC victory of his career, in his fifth WGC appearance.

• This victory beats his previous best WGC performance of a tie for tenth in the 2009 WGC – HSBC Champions.

• The third WGC victory won by a European Tour Member in 2010; They are: Ian Poulter (WGC – Accenture Match Play), Ernie Els (WGC – CA Championship) and Francesco Molinari (WGC – HSBC Champions). Since the WGC events began in 1999 this marks the first time three European Tour Members have won three of these events in the same season.

• Becomes the 17th different winner of a WGC event since they began in 1999. Italy now becomes the ninth different country to win a WGC event.

• Joins Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson, Vijay Singh, Geoff Ogilvy and Ian Poulter as European Tour Members to win a WGC event.

• Moves into the top 15 of the Official World Golf Ranking; his highest career position.

OTHER FACTS

• Won the 2006 Italian Open, the only other time he has led going into the final round of a European Tour event.

• Fourth Italian victory of the 2010 European Tour season, following his brother Edoardo Molinari (The Barclays Scottish Open and Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles) and Matteo Manassero (CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar). This represents the most Italian wins in a single European Tour season.

• The Molinari brothers now join Seve and Maunel Ballesteros, who in 1983 both won, (Seve – PGA Championship, Irish Open and Trophée Lancôme; Manuel – Timex Open), as the only brothers to win in the same European Tour season.

• Victory marks the first time in European Tour history that three different Italian players have won in the same European Tour season.

• The 15th Italian victory in European Tour history.

• Wins for the second time in China having partnered his brother, Edoardo, in Italy’s first win in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup last year.

• Moves to €2,201,613 in The Race to Dubai; his highest total in a single season and the first time he has passed €2 million in a season.

• Moves through €6 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.

• Gains his highest European Tour prize of €860,153.

• Gains a three year European Tour exemption.

• Second win as a professional.

Molinari and Westwood Battle

Franceso Molinari didn’t blink on the front nine as he stood eyeball to eyeball with the new World Number One Lee Westwood in the final round of the WGC – HSBC Champions.

The Ryder Cup teammates moved further ahead of the field with a scintillating first nine holes after the start had been delayed by an hour and 15 minutes as morning fog enveloped the course at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai

Once underway, Molinari doubled his overnight lead with a birdie on the second to move two ahead of his rival. Thereafter they matched each other blow for blow, both picking up shots on the third, fifth and eighth hole.

Westwood had a chance to pull a shot back with a birdie chance on the ninth from ten feet, but the putt was never on the right line, falling away on the left side. Molinari, after a mishit second came up short, chipped to five feet and confidently stroked his putt home to turn in 32 to Westwood’s 33.

And with their nearest challengers failing to make any impact, the two men in front stood out alone heading into the back nine - Molinari on 18 under par and Westwood on 16 under.

Luke Donald, the third player in the final group made three bogeys on the front nine of 38 to fall back to eight over par, and Ross Fisher had moved into third place on ten under with three birdies and a bogey over the first half but at ten under par and a distant eight shots off the lead, the stage is clear for Molinari and Westwood to battle for the title.

WGC - HSBC Champions Leaderboard

Molinari Maintains HSBC Lead

Padraig Harrington moved into seventh place at the end of day three of the World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions in China carding a two under par round of 70 - for a 6 under par total – and eight shots adrift of the leader, Francesco Molinari on 14 under. 

For the third day in succession Francesco Molinari leads Lee Westwood by one shot at Sheshan International with both players shooting five under par rounds of 67 and now clear of the chasing pack. 

The Ryder Cup teammates both birdied their opening hole and Westwood was briefly level after his 27 year old Italian playing partner dropped a shot at the fourth. But Molinari responded with a birdie at the fifth to restore his advantage before both players gained a stroke at the par five eighth. 

While Westwood was producing a bogey-free round, Molinari's card was more varied as he birdied the tenth only to then bogey the 12th before holing his approach at the 14th for eagle. Westwood responded with birdies at the 13th and 15th to keep the deficit to one, and at the 16th the reigning Race to Dubai champion should have pulled level. 

Both players birdied the par five last, with Molinari's improved form with the putter continuing with an eight foot downhill effort while Westwood chipped his third shot to within 12 inches. 

Westwood's compatriot Luke Donald played himself into the final group for the closing round with a bogey-free 68 which left him ten under for the week - four shots off the pace. 

Ross Fisher, Ernie Els and Richie Ramsay are tied for fourth a shot further back making the top six comprised entirely of European Tour Members. 

Rory McIlroy was three under overall after a third consecutive round of 71 along with Tiger Woods who finished a round of 73. 

Phil Mickelson signed for a 76 to drop back to level par for the tournament. 

Martin Kaymer of Germany suffered a double bogey on the par-five 18th to sign for a 74 and retain a one under total for the event. 

Graeme McDowell was one over par for the day – after a 73 - to finish Saturday two over par for the tournament. 

WGC - HSBC Leader board

Molinari Continues to Lead in China

Francesco Molinari maintained a slender lead over World Number One Lee Westwood at the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions with a second round 70 – which was enough to hold on to a one stroke lead at the halfway stage. 

The Ryder Cup star holed a 15 footer at the fourth for birdie after an early gain at the second and was three under for the day when he picked up another shot at the seventh. But he bogeyed the ninth to turn in 34 and saw another shot dropped when his tee shot found the bunker at the par three 12th and he failed to get up and down. 

Searching for a first European Tour title in four years, Molinari responded at the par five 14th with an approach to five feet and birdied to complete his scoring and sit nine under par after two rounds. 

“I’m quite happy, it was quite a different round from yesterday,” said the 27 year old. “It’s never easy to follow a round like yesterday. 

“I maybe didn’t hit the ball as good but I putted well and made a couple of good par saves. Nine under going in to the weekend is a good score. 

“I played pretty well the front nine then I started missing some shots around nine, 11, 12. It was getting a bit tougher but I managed to grind and make some up and downs. I got a birdie at 14 which was nice so I’m happy with the round.” 

Westwood continued to display form and also recorded a two under par 70, holing a six foot birdie putt on the eighth after seven consecutive pars and then rescued par from 15 feet on the ninth. However a wild drive down the left on the 11th did cost him a bogey. 

“The course played a little bit tougher than yesterday and the flags were a little bit trickier,” said the 37 year old.” Westwood explained, “I putted fairly nicely - not as well as yesterday, but all in all I’m pleased with 70. 

“Eight under is a decent score and I’ve obviously got a chance going into the weekend.” 

Scotland’s Richie Ramsay moved into a share of third with a four under 68 to sit level with South African pair Ernie Els and Jaco Van Zyl on seven under – following a round of 66. 

Els, seeking a second WGC title of the year, cleared the water with his second shot at the par five 18th, and then rolled a beautiful 40 foot putt to within a foot of the hole for the simplest of birdies and a best-of-the day 65. 

South African Open winner Ramsay was delighted with another solid display that left him well placed to challenge for such a prestigious event. 

Padraig Harrington carded a round of 70 to finish 4 under par. 

Rory McIlroy was two under after a one under par round of 71. 

Graeme McDowell was one over after a round of 71. 

US duo of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are both 4 under after rounds of 72 and 71. 

Martin Kaymer is three under par after improving on his opening 73 by carding a second round 69.

WGC - HSBC Champions Leader Board