A bumper Saturday of golf which included several Irish stars in action

This event included no halfway cut, all players beginning their round in a two ball from the first tee but the field reduced to 70 due to Jordan Spieth & Si Woo Kim withdrawing.

Rory McIlroy -5 got off to a perfect beginning by achieving an early birdie and a 350 yard drive two holes later proved to be crucial in playing the first four holes in -2.

The Northern Irishman managed to achieve a two-putt birdie on reachable par five sixth hole to reach -8.

The 218 yard eighth hole is one of McIlroy’s favourites as he previously achieved a hole in one in 2023 and continued to like this hole as a spectacular iron shot was significant in reaching -9.

McIlroy faced his first moment of adversity on 6,844 yard par 70 took place at par four 12 th hole as an unforced error led to an untimely double bogey.

McIlroy found it hard to gather momentum as a disappointing three putt on 509 yard 13 th hole didn’t help his cause and remained -7.

The five-time major champion took advantage of 275 yard drivable par four 15 th hole to advance -8 but was unfortunately followed by a sloppy bogey.

“I just want to see some good golf and see some better shots”, said McIlroy. McIlroy -7 is tied eighth, is attempting to build confidence for upcoming Genesis Scottish Open & Open Championship and the Northern Irishman will need an extremely low final round especially if he is still attempting to win as he is nine shots behind -16 54 hole leader Tommy Fleetwood.

Shane Lowry +5 is also in attendance and managed to put a smile on his face especially by posting a Saturday 66 to finish +1.

The major season continues this week with Fields Ranch East Course in Texas making it’s debut for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Leona Maguire +2 managed to book her first weekend tee time in four starts but unfortunately had a poor beginning to par 72 layout due to an early double bogey.

Maguire battled and showed character especially by playing her final 16 holes in -2 to finish +2. “Yeah, I feel like I've been playing really well for five weeks.

I've been telling my team and everybody I'm playing better than I'm scoring, I feel like this week it's kind of come together a bit nicer”, said Maguire.

Maguire +2 is tied sixth alongside 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner Nelly Korda, a sensational eight shots behind - 6 leader Minjee Lee and hopefully the Cavan native can finish in a successful position.

Royal St George’s last hosted the Open Championship in 2021 were Collin Morikawa achieved victory and was the venue for 130 th Amateur Championship.

Gavin Tiernan plays his golf at County Louth Golf Club were Shane Lowry achieved Irish Open victory in 2009 and the 19 year old remarkably achieved a spot in 36 hole final.

Tiernan lead narrowly 1Up over American Ethan Fang after the first 18 holes and remained extremely tight until Fang went two ahead with just three to play.

Tiernan held two extraordinary putts to win the 16 th & 17 th hole and it looked like extra holes were on the cards until Fang hit a sensational iron shot to break Irishman’s heart on 18 th green.

On the DP World Tour Blot Play nine is this week’s tournament and Royal Dublin Golf Club Max Kennedy is currently tied first with James Morrison.

Lauren Walsh is 12 th on Ladies European Tour Order of Merit rankings, is on course for another successful finish in Czech Ladies Open and will be a strong home favourite in July’s Irish Women’s Open.