Love-struck DJ, Mark "The Muppet" Murphy is putting his hell-raising days behind him for the sake of his golf.

The happy-go-lucky Kerryman is ready to settle down with his American fiancée and win titles.

Murphy's long-distance relationship with Bostonian Megan Reynolds threatened to put his promising career on hold.

But now they are engaged to be married and Murphy has promised to put his madcap days behind him and knuckle down to some serious golf.

"Love got in the way, in the nicest possible way," said a friend. "Megan was doing her finals this time last year and Mark was over in Boston holding her hand and he just didn't practice."

Admitted Murphy: "I got engaged and it affected me I suppose. But it has worked out in the end because I met my coach here in Boston. A local pro called Marvin Lerman," he said.

Murphy's winter trips to Boston cased him to lose his focus last year and he eventually lost his place on the Irish team because of poor form.

But now he's back in the swing of things after combining three months of warm-weather practice in the States with constant trips back to snowy Boston to be with his fiancée.

Explained Mark: "My game's coming back slowly but surely. I've been putting a lot of work into it this year as opposed to last year or the year before and I've got my head in the right place I hope."

Known as the Muppet for his madcap antics as a DJ, the 23 year old from Waterville appears to be a reformed character.

Said Murphy: "It's true. I've been working a lot on everything and I'm giving my golf a lot of attention. I've got a coach now and that's so important because you really need somebody on your side.

"I bumped into Marvin at the practice range and it's working out well. He's doing it for free. He says he likes what he sees and we're good friends. That's all that matters and there aren't a lot of people that will help you out for free."

Money is a major concern for Murphy, who usually makes his living by spinning discs at weddings and parties.

"I don't work at all when I'm out here. I work as a DJ, I caddie and I save a lot when I'm at home and then when I come out here I blow the lot practicing down in Florida and out in California.

"Then when I come home I work my ass off, doing weddings and gigs to earn more money.

"But I don't ever DJ when I have a golf tournament in the offing. In April we've just got the West and nothing else so I've still got time to earn a few quid after Rosses Point."

Murphy made his debut for Ireland in the Home Internationals at Carnoustie in 2000 after his best ever season.

A late starter in the game, he surprised everyone by reaching the final of the West, where was beaten by Eamonn Brady.

The he proved he was no flash in the pan when he came out of the pack to force a play off for the East title before losing to Noel Fox at the third extra hole.

His performances earned him a place in the Irish Open at Ballybunion where he opened up with two rounds of 70 to make the cut and tie with the likes of Jose Maria Olazabal at the halfway stage.

But last season he failed to shine and was he overlooked for a place in the Ireland squad for the Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa.

Something of an outsider, Murphy is not about to let his shortened international career affect his golf.

"I'll try to get my place back into the team. But it's not my number one goal. What I really want to do is win one of the big amateur titles at home. Then I'll come out again to try and qualify for the US Amateur championship and play in the Canadian Amateur again, as I did last year.

"I'm also planning to play in the Lytham Trophy at the start of May and some other tournaments in England and Scotland.

"I'm pretty confident about my form and just watch me in the Irish Amateur Open. This is the one I'll win this year. You watch. I just love Royal Dublin."

Murphy caddied for Payne Stewart and went out on the town with the American during his visits to Waterville over the years.

And he carried on the tradition by showing then amateur Matt Kuchar the sights and courses of Munster, two years ago.

Kuchar recently won his first title on the US PGA Tour and his success has given Murphy another boost.

Said Mark: "I look at Matt Kuchar winning the Honda Classic and I get a boost from that. He played in the Irish Open at Ballybunion two years ago and we played six rounds together after that.

"We were neck and neck the whole time and I can't believe he's done so well. He doesn't play much better than anyone else really but there you are, you have to go out and do it I suppose."

Murphy will have his first chance to shine when the Standard Life sponsored West Of Ireland Open championship gets underway at Rosses Point on Friday.

If his hard work pays off, the DJ golfer is capable of putting the best in a spin

SuperMac

Paul McGinley is rapidly becoming the Mr Muscles of the European Tour.

With an average drive of 296.7 yards McGinner is now hitting the ball almost 14 yards further than last year.

Harrington

Padraig Harrington launched his personal website this week ­ www.padraigharrington.com.

Fans can join "Club Padraig" and send he player questions, read his diary or buy photographs.

Graeme
Graeme McDowell is in a league of his own after his fifth win of the season on the US Collegiate circuit.

McDowell fired a final round 65 to claim a two-shot win in the 2002 Conrad Rehling Alabama Invite on St Patrick's Day.

It was the 22 year old Walker Cup star's seventh consecutive sub-par round.

McDowell is now ranked sixth in the latest Golfweek Rankings for college players.

The Rathmore player celebrated by taking up an invitation from Darren Clarke to visit him at the Players' Championship at Sawgrass.

Alison

Ulster girl Alison Coffey bounced back to form for Great Britain and Ireland in South Africa.

The Warrenpoint player beat Francis Botha by six and five to win her singles in a Test Match during the week after some poor recent form.

Great Britain and Ireland beat South Africa 11-7 overall and then beat a team of women professionals by nine holes in a challenge match.

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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