Portuguese Open

[hawkeye]

Anyone watching the golf in Europe this week?

Coverage is on at 11:30, i'll be watching!

My man Darren Clarke is 6 under thru 9 holes! Interesting - they're starting on the 8th hole probably a nearer walk or something!

He need 6 more birdies to shoot a 59 - and his last hole will be a 500 yard par 5 - i'm off to the bookies!

[Ruari]

Anyone watching the golf in Europe this week?

Well, he dropped a few and ended with an up-and-down round but 68 isn't bad at all. Great to see him playing well.

And Ollie Fisher too - last week's heroics don't seem to have taken too much out of him. James Kamte - worth keeping an eye on. He's kind of threatening to break through some weekend soon.

[hawkeye]

Pity - Clarke's putter again was the major factor - missed twice inside 3/4 feet for 3 putts.

Gonzo is on form - not the best putter out there but when it's hot, he scores well!

[Ruari]

Ollie Fisher 6 under with one to play - storming up the leaderboard after yesterday's 68. The boy's done good!

[Ruari]

Good to see David Howell have a good weekend after all his injury problems. He nearly did it, in the first tournament he's been able to play for over a year with anything approaching proper fitness.

[themasteroncbs]

Ollie Fisher 6 under with one to play - storming up the leaderboard after yesterday's 68. The boy's done good!

Which youngster from the British Isles has more potential Fisher or McIllroy?

[Ruari]

Which youngster from the British Isles has more potential Fisher or McIllroy?

Good question. Rory's had a lot of coverage of late and a lot of expectation. He's performed pretty well in some tournaments but missed a lot of cuts, too. But he's only 18, I think he is now. Fisher had a bit of fanfare when he turned pro but not as much - there has been a lot of awareness of McIlroy for some time. The difference is a bit odd, as Fisher played the Walker Cup at 16 - the youngest ever. Ollie's been on Tour for longer and is a bit older. McIlroy will reach the same standard of experience towards the end of this year/beginning of next so, although Fisher has had the better showing this year, it's really too early to tell who will be better. What I'd love to see is the two of them slugging it out for OOM honours, the way Ballesteros, Langer, Lyle, Faldo and Woosnam did in the 1980s and early 90s. They're friends, apparently, so there is the possibility of mutual support off-course and intense rivalry on it, like Nicklaus and Palmer had in their day. That's not to place too much burden of expectation on them; the Europeans have generally been more friendly when travelling together, Faldo's single-mindedness notwithstanding (see Paul Azinger's recent comments for details!). Whatever, if they get anywhere near their potential, they will both be great to watch. Now that we have a half-decent youth development strategy in place, including university courses in golf at three colleges (hooray! Only 30 years after the US) and the Faldo series, expect to see more young talent emerging from this side of the pond. As with everything, the structure won't recognise and capture everyone - David Howell was overlooked by the EGU for ages, for example - so some may come out of left field, and some who seem to be making good progress up the ladder won't see their talent blossom. Two other names to keep half an eye out for the future: Ben Stow and Max Brittan, both aged 16, both from the SW of England and both in 0-1 handicap range. I'll be watching them both at close quarters this Saturday; they're playing in a national championship elimination round on opposing teams. And don't forget the Spanish & French - they're bringing some youngsters forward, too.

[Ruari]

Two other names to keep half an eye out for the future: Ben Stow and Max Brittan, both aged 16, both from the SW of England and both in 0-1 handicap range. I'll be watching them both at close quarters this Saturday; they're playing in a national championship elimination round on opposing teams.

They both won - Ben by 3&2 and Max by 2&1. But Ben's team went through: Max was the only winner on their side.