There was an overdue milestone for the talented Mikko Ilonen last weekend when he became the first Finnish player to win a European Tour event with his victory at the Indonesia Open.

The 27-year-old, who lost his card in 2005, struggled for a time last year on the Challenge Tour, but a series of strong performances on the main tour saw him win back his playing privileges.

Ilonen tasted success before he turned pro, winning the British Amateur Championship at Hoylake in 2000, however, he is best remembered in this country for his 1999 West of Ireland victory at Co Sligo. And if all goes to plan after the Walker Cup in September, it's just possible that the next West of Ireland champion to win a professional event could be Rory McIlroy.

LOOKING FOR MATURITY?
THAT'S JUST RICH

There weren't too many pearls of wisdom emanating from Rich Beem, the star turn of the cult golf book Bud, Sweat and Tees which was more a tale of extraordinary highs, rock-bottom lows, long nights and short days.

Beem emerged as more of an instinctive kind of guy . . .philosopher, he most certainly wasn't.

After his memorable USPGA Championship victory in 2002, he endured several years of poor form, so it was good to see him celebrating a hole-in-one, as well as a brand new set of wheels, at the Nissan Open last weekend.

Asked what had happened to his game, and why he was playing better now, Beem responded: "I'm the same guy, just a little bit older. I think as you get older, you grow up."

Profound or what? Rich Beem hasn't changed a bit.

NEW RULES SHOW LPGA LIKES ITS LADIES FAST

According to a report in Golf Digest magazine, the LPGA is getting tough on slow play. This season, a threeball will be deemed to be out of position if all the players haven't driven at a par four before the pin has been replaced by the group ahead.

Also, the LPGA aims to reduce the average length of a final round by a three-player group from five hours and two minutes to four hours and 50 minutes. Apparently, fines are in the offing for repeat offenders.

It's bad enough the best players spend an inordinate amount of time studying putts, and indulge in elaborate pre-shot routines, but more and more amateurs appear to be following suit.

Frustrated at the pace of play during a pro-am, Chi Chi Rodriguez once told his amateur partner to hurry up and hit "before my clothes go out of style".