MAUREEN MADILL COLUMN: Oh Brother!

In a week when PGA Irish Region captain Simon Thornton led from the front, Great Britain and Ireland cruised to a record breaking 16.5 to 9.5 win over their US counterparts to win the PGA Cup for the first time since 2017 at The K Club

Ireland’s Liam Nolan is a winner on the HotelPlanner Tour after producing a flawless weekend performance to claim the Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

A sensational finish from Graeme Robertson and Gavin Hay at The K Club made it four wins from four matches as a pair as they helped Great Britain and Ireland to within two points of their first PGA Cup victory since 2017.

Paul McBride produced a stunning final-round at Slaley Hall to win the Clutch Pro Tour Championship and, in the process, secure his place on the HotelPlanner Tour for 2027.

James Freeman stole the show with a sensational hole in one in the afternoon fourballs as Great Britain and Ireland whitewashed the Americans on their way to a 6-2 lead after day one of the PGA Cup at The K Club.

The background of the famous Llandudno International Trophy, awarded to the winners of the PGA Cup, is a fascinating one. The story takes us back 88 years to a tournament that was only staged once.

Simon Thornton is the sole Irish professional on the Great Britain and Ireland team that will battle the United States this week for PGA Cup glory as the biennial event returns to The K Club (South Course) for the first time since 2005.

Irish singer-songwriter and R&A Ambassador Niall Horan made a surprise visit to Golf It! in Glasgow to see first-hand the progress of its Disability Golf Programme, which has welcomed more than 1,300 participants and helped establish the facility as a National Disability Hub for Golf.

The United States produced a remarkable final-day turnaround at Medinah Country Club on Sunday, overcoming a three-point deficit to defeat the International team 17-13 and retain the Presidents Cup.

Team Ireland have been crowned 2026 Tri-Nations Champions following a composed two-day performance at the Vale Resort in Wales. 

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews welcomed its new Captain, Claire Dowling, at the traditional driving-in ceremony on the 1st tee of the Old Course this morning.

A landmark moment for collegiate golf is set to arrive in 2027 with the launch of the NI Collegiate Invitational, a new international championship set to become the first Division I collegiate golf tournament held in Northern Ireland at Galgorm.