McIlroy moved further ahead with a fine third round at Augusta.

It is one of the most international leaderboards ever at the Masters. Fittingly, on the 50th anniversary of the first-ever win by an international player; the odds are certainly in the favor of an overseas victory here at Augusta National.

South Africa’s Gary Player won the first of three Green Jackets in 1961 and on Monday, he told me that his pick of bunch this week was none other than Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Living Golf presenter, Shane O'Donoghue
Filed under: Golf

Tiger Woods is back on the prowl at Augusta.

Saturdays in professional golf are traditionally called "moving day," but it all took off in the second round here at Augusta National as the tournament stepped up several gears. And how!

Rory McIlroy slept on the joint overnight lead and came out of the blocks perfectly on Friday here at the Masters, racing to 10-under par with the ease of a veteran. That his putter didn’t reward him on the back nine is an issue, for he could not have struck the ball better. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Living Golf presenter, Shane O'Donoghue
Filed under: Golf

Rory McIlroy has made an impressive start to the 2011 Masters at Augusta.

I’d like to tell you that I’ve known Rory McIlroy since he was a little kid but I haven’t, well not really.

When I first saw him play as a 13-year-old (one-handicapper) at the Hermitage Golf Club outside Dublin, in the Irish Boys Championship, it struck me that although small in stature and very boyish in looks, he was actually a man in a boy’s body, playing with the authority of a seasoned veteran and clearly destined for bigger things.

It’s not often that Mozart returns in the shape of a boy golfer from Holywood (pronounced Hollywood) in County Down. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Living Golf presenter, Shane O'Donoghue
Filed under: Golf

Tiger Woods was in relaxed mood at a press conference ahead of this week's Masters.

Tiger Woods may have dropped to seventh in the latest world rankings, but should he secure a priceless victory here in Augusta on Sunday evening, his return to the top will be secured.

In fairness, should any of the players ranked between two and seven - bar Paul Casey at six - don the green jacket this week then they all have a chance of reaching the summit after the conclusion of the year’s first major.
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Living Golf presenter, Shane O'Donoghue
Filed under: Golf

Carl Jackson (left) first became a caddy aged 11 and has been a staple on the Augusta course for the past 50 years.

One Augusta legend will be striding the fairways this week for his 50th crack at the Masters. He not only knows this verdant pasture like the back of his hand, he knows his hometown of Augusta even better.  To say he has seen it all before, literally from both sides of the fence, is probably an understatement.

Carl Jackson may not be a household name in world sport, but here - on the grounds of Augusta National - he is an integral part of the tradition of both the golf club and the tournament. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Living Golf anchor, Shane O'Donoghue
Filed under: Golf