Karlsson wins the Qatar Masters in Doha.

Robert Karlsson completed a stunning comeback from the eye injury that ruined his 2009 campaign with a comprehensive three stroke victory at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy.

After becoming the first Swedish player to be European Number One in 2008, Karlsson was sidelined for four months last year suffering from blurred vision caused by fluid behind the retina in his left eye.

But at Doha Golf Club the 40 year old was back to the best which saw him win twice in 2008 to ensure a second successive Ryder Cup appearance.

Karlsson produced the round of the week to win with a stylish bogey free seven under par final round,that earned him 294,584 Euros to kick start his 2010 season.

Peter Lawrie was the best of the Irish.He produced a final round of 69 to collect a cheque for 33,264 Euros in a share of 9th place.
Graeme McDowell had a good finish of -5 to earn 24,421 Euros for a share of 14th.
Shane Lowry is really finding his feet.After his 4th place last week he followed up with a24th place finish on -3.It earned him 18,117 Euros.
Michael Hoey finished in a share of 32nd on level par 288 to win 12,779 Euros and Gareth Maybin had a poor weekend.He finished on +3 and won 7,070 Euros for 49th.

Damien McGrane missed his 2nd cut in a row.This week he was +3 for the 36 holes and was one shot too many.

Martin Kaymer wins back Abu Dhabi Title in style.

Germany’s Martin Kaymer birdied the final hole to edge out Ian Poulter by a shot and win his second Abu Dhabi Golf Championship title in three years.

Overnight leader Kaymer, the 2008 champion and last year’s runner-up, topped the leaderboard at 21 under par as his bogey free final round 66 was enough to see off Poulter, who also hit 66 in a valiant display.

Rory McIlroy dropped just one shot on his way to a five under 67 to claim third place, a further shot adrift.

The 3 Irish Open champion Shane Lowry posted his best finish on The European Tour since turning professional with his bogey free 67 securing fourth at 17 under.Lowry picked up his biggest cheque for 75,000 Euros and moved into 14th place on the Race to Dubai table.

Ryder Cup hopefuls Kaymer, Poulter and McIlroy were playing together in the final group, and were in sensational form from the outset.Polter and Kaymer got early birdies,while McIlroy was only level par after the first 7 holes.He made a brave attempt to close the gap but came up 2 shots shy of Kaymer after he hit 5 birdies for a 67 and a 19 under par total earned him his first cheque of the year of 93,900 Euros.

Peter Lawrie closed with a super 67 to share 27th place and earn 13,350 Euros.Darren Clarke struggled on the greens but still finished 3 under par and a cheque for 4,612 Euros for a share of 56th place.

Graeme McDowell missed the 2 under par 36 hole cut mark by one shot.Michael Hoey had two rounds of 72 to miss by 2 shots.Gareth Maybin was not on form as he was 8 shots away on +6, while Damien McGrane didn't play well at all for a +8 total.

Charl Schwartzel wins second tournament in a row.

Charl Schwartzel cruised to his second straight European Tour title in his home city with a six shot win at the Joburg Open, further extending his early lead in The Race to Dubai.

The Africa Open winner coasted around the East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington in a five under par 66, following rounds of 63, 68 and 64 for a 23 under par total.

That was far too good for the chasing pack, with Schwartzel’s fellow South African Keith Horne sharing second with Darren Clarke on 17 under following a best of the day final round 64.

Clarke let slip a chance to apply real pressure midway through the front nine, but chipped in for eagle on the last.

Schwartzel’s notable double, completed with a polished 66, takes Schwartzel to his best ever position in the World Rankings - possibly as high as 35th depending on what happens on the US PGA Tour this week.He would be a good contender for a major as he is now 43 under par for his last 8 rounds.

Darren Clarke wants to make Monty's Ryder cup team and he has got himself off to a great start with a 17 under par total and a cheque for 119,730 Euros.

Simon Thornton in only his second start as a full card holder played a great tournament to finish in a tie for 17th.He scored 70,65,71,69 (-9) to earn 15,938 Euros.

Michael Hoey had a poor 73 to finish in 25th position on -7 and earn 12,480 Euros.

Young Niall Kearney put up a good show in his second tournament as a Professional.He shot a brilliant 68 in the second round to miss the 3 under par cut mark by only one shot.Gary Murphy was on the same total after a second round 67 to go with his opening 73,while Peter Lawrie missed the cut by 6 shots after scores of 74,71.

Richie Ramsay wins his first Professional event.

Three years after becoming the first Scot to win the US Amateur Championship in 108 years, Richie Ramsay now has his first European Tour title.

The 25 year old from Aberdeen won the South African Open Championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates, coming from five behind with a best of the day 65 and then beating Indian Shiv Kapur with a birdie on the first play-off hole.

"There's no greater feeling than winning and I'm just a flood of emotions - I'm holding back the tears," said Ramsay after receiving the second oldest trophy in golf.

The pair tied on the 13 under par mark of 275 but the former Walker Cup player grabbed the first prize - and a European Tour exemption that runs until the end of 2011 - when he was on the green in two at the 601 yard 18th and two putted.

"Things just went for me," he added. "But I am a lot more positive now - I go out believing and thinking I can win."

Ramsay did not drop a shot all day, going to the turn in 33 and then grabbing more birdies on the tenth, 12th, 15th and 17th.

Denmark's Anders Hansen, Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed and Italian Edoardo Molinari all could have joined the play-off with a closing eagle but failed.

Hansen's birdie left him third, while the other two parred to be joint fourth - and that was good enough for Molinari to climb into the world's top 50 just in time to join his brother Francesco in the Masters Tournament at Augusta in April.

Overnight leader Pablo Martin, winner of last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship, dropped to sixth with a 73.

Ramsay went into the event ranked 240th in the world and the victory will take him just inside the top 120.

Damien McGrane was the best of the Irish finishing in joint 21st on 5 under par with a closing 71.Michael Hoey who had three 70s in a row fell back into a tie for 35th with a closing 76.He was joined on 2 under par by Gareth Maybin who closed with a 71.
Gary Murphy finished in a share of 43rd on -1 after a closing par of 72.

Shane Lowry who opened with a 78 nearly made the cut with a 10 shot improvment to a 68.His +2 finish was one shot too many to make the weekend.

Pablo Martin wins 1st European Tour event of 2010.

Spaniard Pablo Martin created more European Tour history by winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Two years after becoming the first amateur to win on The European Tour, the 23 year old is now the only one to capture titles both as an amateur and a professional.

Martin, ranked 488th in the world at the start of the tournament, was in the depths of despair about his game after missing the first seven cuts of this year. He now ends 2009 on a real high after beating home hope and former winner Charl Schwartzel by a single stroke in a tense finish.

It was only on the final day of last season that Martin made sure of keeping his European Tour card, but he is now exempt until the end of 2012 - and €158,500 richer.

The Malaga golfer had had only one top ten finish since his triumph at the Estoril Open de Portugal, but with a closing three under par 69 he held off the charging Schwartzel to win with a 17 under total.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," he said. "I am so happy and there was so much emotion today."

Gareth Maybin made a great start to the season when he finished joint 4th on 12 under par.It could have been 2 shots better as he took a 7 at the par 5,18th after finding water with his 3rd shot.He collected a cheque for 38,825 Euros.

Damien McGrane could only manage a closing round of level par 72 to finish in joint 8th on -11 and pick up 21,933 Euros.

Shane Lowry who is looking forward to his first full year as a Professional played well to finish in 17th on 7 under with a closing 69.He won 11,712 Eiros to kick start his year.

Michael Hoey had his usual up and down week and finished in 44th on -1 after a final round of 74 to win 5,300 Euros.

Gary Murphy looking for a quick start to the new season after a visit to the qualifying school missed the cut by 6 shots with scores of 72/77 +5.

Message from Tiger on his web site.

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.

I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.

Murphy & Thornton will play on the European Tour in 2010.

Simon Khan stumbled with a final round 74 at the 6 round qualifing school in Spain,but still finished top of the class on 20 under par.He was one clear from rising superstar Sam Hutsby who had a closing 69 to finish 19 under par.In 3rd place was Stephan Gallagher who bogied the last for a 69 and an 18 under par total.

Gary Murphy who was unlucky not to have retained his playing rights and found himself back at tour school took the 16th card with a closing 68 for an 11 under par total.

It will be a big move for Newcastle's Simon Thornton.Simon has played most of his golf on the Irish PGA circuit and from now on he will be teeing up with the likes of McIlroy and Harrington after a closing 71 got him in on the cut mark of 10 under par.

New Professional Niall Kearney will have a full year on the Challenge tour and will get some invites to the main tour after he was in a share of 46th place on 7 under par.
31 players gained their full card with scores between 20 and 10 under par.

1ST SIMON KHAN 68 63 67 66 70 74 408 -20.
2ND SAM HUTSKY 69 72 65 68 66 69 409 -19.
3RD STEPHEN GALLAGHER 68 72 68 66 67 69 410 -18.
IRISH RESULTS
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16TH GARY MURPHY 69 67 70 74 69 68 417 -11.
26TH SIMON THORNTON 67 75 65 68 66 69 418 -10.
46TH NIALL KEARNEY 72 68 68 69 74 70 421 -7.