Tiger Woods has yet to reveal when he plans to return to action following ankle surgery, but he will still be the centre of attention at the World Wide Technology Championship.

Woods has been on site at El Cardonal in Mexico ahead of this week’s PGA Tour event, the first to be staged on a course designed by the 15-time major winner.

And world number 66 Keith Mitchell is among the players keen to judge if Woods is as talented with a pencil and paper as he is with a golf club.

“We all know we can judge him on his golf, one of the best, if not the best ever, to play golf,” Mitchell said. “So we’re going to see if his golf course architecture can hold up as well.

“The back nine I played today, there’s a lot of options. I know Tiger likes options.

“It gives you a lot to think about going into greens, whether you want to use the slope or go straight at the hole, whether you want to play conservative and have an easy up and down or try to push it to the back of a green or to a tough flag and try to make birdie.

“A couple of par fives, the back of the greens are serious trouble.

“If you have a good number you can maybe hit it to the back flag and get a chance for eagle, but if not you’ve got to play conservative and try to get up and down from the front of the green, so it adds a lot of risk-reward.”

Maverick McNealy, who will contest his first event since June due to a shoulder injury, added: “My first impression is that it’s not very tight off the tee, it’s very wide, but if you miss it’s a severe penalty.

“You don’t need to murder the ball. Playing it 290 (yards) off the tee, 300 off the tee is going to be just fine. And then you really have to think about where you leave the ball into the greens. There’s one side that’s obviously not OK.

“You kind of see a lot of parallels between the way Tiger plays golf and the way he designed this golf course.

“You have to think about it, play smart. Quintessential second-shot golf course and no short-siding.”

The day-two leaders in the four categories of the 56th Jamaica Open Golf Championship are from four different countries, making it truly an international tournament. The open is being played at the Tryall Golf Club which is just a short distance from the Grand Palladium Hotel in Hanover, the official hotel and sponsor of the championship.

American pro golfer Andrew Arft maintained his leading position after scoring an even par 72 for a two-day score of six under par 138. His lead was however cut to two from six on the first day by countryman Ryan Sullivan, who posted the lowest score on the second day. 

Sullivan scored a six under par 66 for a combined score of 140.

Jamaica's Oshae Haye took over the lead for the amateur section from Sean Morris. His two-day total of 157 came on the back of 75 and 82, on day one and two respectively. Morris was four strokes back on 153.

Trinidad and Tobago's Chris Richards took his day one lead into day two, for a combined total of 146, after posting two under par 70 on the first day, and four over par 76 on the second day, in the Senior Professional category. Canada's Kent Fukushima was in second place on 152.

The final section, for Senior Amateurs showed Canada's Robert Sterling in the lead. His two-day total of 161 came on the back of 12 over par 84 on day one and five over par 77 on day two. Jamaica's Dr. Mark Newnham was in second place on 164 (88 and 76).

The last group of the day all birdied hole number 18 to the delight of the gallery who appreciated the display. The group members were Andrew Arft, Josh Anderson and Chris Richards.

The USA's Andrew Arft is at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the first day of the 56th Jamaica Open Golf Championship at the Tryall Golf Club in Hanover.

The American show a six-under-par 66 to enjoy a three-shot lead heading to Tuesday’s second day. Josh Anderson, also of the USA, is second after shooting a 69 and he is followed by Trinidad & Tobago's Chris Richards, who shot 70.

Defending champion Patrick Cover was further back after shooting 73 saying afterwards that he expects to be better in the rounds ahead. Wesley Brown, the highest placed local professional shot one over par 73.

Justin Burrowes and Sebert Walkert Jr who both turned pro at the championship posted scores of 10 over par 82 and five over par 77, respectively. Former national representatives Sean Morris and Oshae Haye both shot three over par 75 to be joint leaders in the amateur section while junior golfer Trey Williams scored five over par 78 for the first round.

 In an exciting development for Jamaican golf, the 56th Jamaica Open Golf Championship at the Tryall Golf Club in Hopewell, Hanover, is set to witness the professional debut of two rising stars, Justin Burrowes and Sebert Walker Jr. The Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) made this announcement during its final media briefing on Friday.

Justin Burrowes, the reigning amateur champion, has already proven his mettle on the greens, having outplayed another highly talented amateur player, William Knibbs. Sebert Walker Jr., on the other hand, is ready to make his mark in the professional golf circuit. The anticipation for their debut is palpable, as they step onto the professional stage with immense promise.

The 56th Jamaica Open is expected to host around sixty professional golfers from overseas and an array of amateur golfers hailing from the USA, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and, of course, the host country, Jamaica. The tournament kicked off with the pro-am event on Saturday morning, setting the stage for the championship, which is scheduled to tee off on Sunday and continue through Tuesday for the 54-hole competition.

Professional golfer Hunter Summy, who has been honing his skills on the course for the past two weeks, expressed his readiness for the upcoming challenge. The Tryall Golf Club's Director of Golf, Ewan Peebles, assured everyone that the course was in impeccable condition. He did mention that recent windy conditions may pose an additional challenge, and some fairways had been narrowed to make it more demanding, but he believed that the skilled golfers would excel.

The event received strong backing from sponsors, including Dr. Carey Wallace of the Tourism Enhancement Fund and Scott Summy of Aqua Bay Resort, the presenting sponsor. Aqua Bay Resort, which has been a staunch supporter for the fourth consecutive year, expressed its commitment to continuing the partnership. Other sponsors include TEF, Tryall, JTB, Digicel Business, Jamaica Tours, Grand Palladium, SDF, Fidelity Motors, Coldwell Bankers Reality Jamaica, Ultra Financiers, and GK Finance.

The 56th Jamaica Open promises not only thrilling golfing action but also the debut of two Jamaican talents on the professional stage, marking a significant moment in the country's golfing history.

With her parents starting a rich and fruitful partnership with Sandals Resorts, Wendy McClung, Executive vice-president of Baxter Media said the decision was easy for her to continue the family legacy to promote Jamaica as a golfing destination through the Canadian Travel Advisors Golf Tournament.

The 27th edition of this tournament, which is the longest running of the three, preceding the United States and Latin American events, attracted 16 teams made up of some 61 travel advisors, who beyond basking in the fun, frolic and excitement, will ensure that Jamaica’s sports tourism stocks in North America continues to rise.

Team three comprising Christopher Gregoris, Leo Tam, Tom Liu, and Wendy Hsu, finished tops at the end of the two-day competition at the Sandals Golf and Country Club in St Ann. They tallied scores of 65 and 62 across the two days for an 18-hole total of 127.

The team of Gord Ramkissoon, Lalita Ramkissoon, Leonard Sanicharan and Lalita Sanicharan, were six strokes behind in second on 133, after daily scores of 66 and 67, while Team Five comprising David Harris, Doug Rollheiser, Jacques Gilbert and Jason Jenkins took third with 134, after daily scores of 65 and 69.

McClung, who believes the prospects for the tournament is far-reaching where impacting visitor arrivals to Jamaica is concerned, is hoping to build on what her parents Edith and William Baxter accomplished.

Baxter’s Media is the publisher of two of Canada's leading travel trade magazine, the Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier.

“This was actually started by my parents and my parents always had a good relationship with Jamaica, in fact, my mother was conferred with the Order of Distinction. So, Sandals has been a partner of ours for a very long time and every year we bring travel agents and people who serve Jamaica just to have a nice kind of thank you gathering. It is four days of golf, fun and entertainment and so it’s a great way to celebrate the partnership,” she said.

“Every year it gets better and better. In fact, we had to turn people away because it’s a popular thing and it’s the highlight of the year for many people. As you know, Jamaica has the perfect weather, Sandals is a perfect resort with a perfect golf club, my only complaint is that we are not here long enough,” McClung added.

Meanwhile, the side competitions which raised US$1,528 (about $235,869 Jamaican dollars) for the Sandals Foundation, were won by Curtis Dewar and Norah Hogan, in the closest to the pin, while Colin Harris and Tobe Leney, were the male and female longest drive winners.

Two-time rugby World Cup winner and self-confessed “golf tragic” Dan Carter is eager to see the result of a new programme aimed at boosting participation for golfers with a disability in Ireland.

The former New Zealand fly-half was in Dublin this week to help launch the partnership between Golf Ireland and ISPS Handa which will see the latter sponsor the Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability in June 2024 and become the lead partner of Golf Ireland’s Golf4All programmes.

Carter, who is an ambassador for ISPS Handa, said: “I know at ISPS Handa they are going to look at different sporting events, different organisations about partnering with them.

“One of the most important things is they really have a lot of values. So to learn about Golf Ireland and wanting to make Golf4All is a perfect alignment for ISPS Handa.

“It’s a really exciting partnership and one that’s going to work for both sides. I’m really intrigued to see how this partnership evolves and also the uptake of golf here in Ireland.

“I’m a bit of a golf tragic, I think I’m much better than I actually am, so it’s great to be back here in Ireland and next time I can guarantee I will be bringing my golf clubs.”

Fellow ISPS Handa ambassador and world number two Brendan Lawlor added: “The beautiful thing about this partnership is it’s going to give so many disability golfers in Ireland a chance at every level, a chance at G4D events, to get disability children into the game and also to get anyone in any walk of life into the game and it’s fantastic.

“Golf Ireland are definitely the most progressive foundation and organisation in disability golf at the minute.

“We meet every few months for different meetings to talk about different ways to try and boost the game and get different people into the game.

“It’s wonderful to see an organisation that’s willing to work with you to make great things happen.”

Collin Morikawa claimed his first PGA Tour win for two years with a storming victory at the Zozo Championship in Japan.

The 26-year-old American began the final day two off the lead but a seven-under-par round of 63 at Chiba carried him to victory by six shots ahead of Eric Cole and Beau Hossler.

Morikawa, who is of Japanese heritage, carded seven birdies and no bogeys in a near perfect final round, finishing off in style with a birdie on the 18th for a 14 under par total.

It brought him a first win since he claimed the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November 2021, which followed on from his victory at the Open the same year.

Morikawa won his first major title at the PGA Championship in 2020 in only his second appearance at one of golf’s four biggest events, a year after his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Barracuda Championship.

He was the first-round leader at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club but seemed to have dropped out of contention after a disappointing second-round 73 and then a poor start to his third round but he finished it with five birdies from the final six holes to put himself in a good position going into Sunday.

Rory McIlroy said he is open to the prospect of investing in Manchester United and welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed involvement with his boyhood club.

The 34-year-old Northern Irishman, who helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in Rome a few weeks ago, was speaking at the Circuit of Americas in Texas after acquiring a stake in Formula One team Alpine.

McIlroy, former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold and World Cup winner Juan Mata have been announced as part of a £173million strategic investment led by consortium Otro Capital in Alpine.

Ratcliffe, 71, is reportedly looking to purchase a 25 per cent stake in United that could see him take over football operations at Old Trafford.

And McIlroy said: “Sports team ownership used to be limited to private equity, and people who had a ton of money. But now sports stars are becoming more savvy and using their money in the right way.

“I would love to be able to own a tiny percentage of the club I grew up cheering on as a boy.

“I would have loved to have taken 0.00001 per cent of Manchester United when Jim Ratcliffe took 25 per cent. And if another opportunity comes my way I will look at it. But it is not something that has come across our table as of yet.

“There is Tom Brady at Birmingham and there are a few golfers – Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas – who invested with the 49ers Group, and they own a tiny slice of Leeds. They asked me if I wanted to come on board, and I said as a Man United fan I cannot go anywhere near that.

“Sir Jim has got a great track record and everybody that does support United should be excited by the possibilities if they give him full sporting authority and decisions for the club. As a fan I am excited.”

McIlroy finished as Europe’s top points-scorer at Marco Simone after a convincing 3&1 singles win against Sam Burns.

He had been embroiled in angry scenes the previous evening following the actions of Patrick Cantlay’s bagman Joe LaCava on the 18th green, furiously gesticulating in the direction of Justin Thomas’ caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay in the car park.

Three weeks on, McIlroy was asked if he had any regrets over the incident.

“Jeez, no, not at all,” he said. “I felt like what happened in the car park galvanised the team and it benefited us.

“Things happen in the heat of the moment. Tensions were high but Joe came into the European team room on Sunday night and had a drink and a chat. I have had a great relationship with Joe over the years and that wasn’t going to change.

“The incident happened. I didn’t want to meet anyone on the Sunday morning because I wanted what happened to fuel me and my focus was on making sure Europe won the Ryder Cup, and then we will sort all the other stuff out after. And it is all fine. We are all friends.”

Hamilton, Bermuda – Digicel Business, the leading provider of technology solutions in Bermuda, is thrilled to announce its partnership as the Official Technology Partner of Bermuda’s PGA TOUR event. The prestigious Butterfield Bermuda Championship is a premier golfing event that celebrates athleticism, sportsmanship, and community engagement.

The Butterfield Bermuda Championship, known for its world-class golfing talent and commitment to fostering a sense of unity and excellence, is set to take place from Nov 9 - 12 at the stunning Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda. This partnership marks a significant stride in the realm of sports and technology, exemplifying Digicel Business' dedication to advancing digital innovation and connectivity on the island.

"We are excited to have Digicel Business as the Official Technology Partner of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship for the 5^th year in a row,” said Danielle Carrera, Tournament Director. "This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence, as Digicel Business' cutting-edge technology solutions will enhance both the participant experience, as well as the engagement of our global audience."

As part of this partnership, Digicel Business will provide a seamless technological framework that facilitates the event's ticketing system with WiFi available throughout the Port Royal Golf Course hospitality areas, all secured by Digicel Cyber Protect, along with on-the-ground radio communications support through Digicel 360 Comms for over 100 PGA and Event Operations Staff.

Gyorgy Zsembery, Group Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Business and Digicel+, highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, "The Butterfield Bermuda Championship, from November 9 - 12 is a premier international event that has a rich history of celebrating excellence, much like Digicel Business' legacy in Bermuda. Our partnership with the tournament signifies the collaboration of two entities that always prioritise performance and progress, with that commitment we are eager to contribute to the success of this event."

The partnership between Digicel Business and the Butterfield Bermuda Championship stems from a shared vision of pushing boundaries and creating remarkable experiences. As Liam Donnelly, CEO of Digicel Bermuda, stated, "We are honoured to be chosen as the Official Technology Partner of such an esteemed championship. This partnership underscores our dedication to enhancing connectivity and innovation on the island, and we are excited to set new standards for how technology enhances the sports and entertainment industry."

As Bermuda prepares to host the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, Digicel Business looks forward to contributing its technological expertise to elevate the event's impact, reach, and overall success.

The Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) launched the prestigious 56th Jamaica Open Golf Championship earlier this week at the Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston.

The championship will be held at the picturesque Tryall Golf Club in Hanover for the fourth consecutive year from October 29 to 31 with tee off at 7:00 am each day. The Pro-Am tournament is scheduled for Saturday the 28, the day before the championship starts and will feature the majority of the pro and the amateurs playing in teams, to share skills, generate camaraderie and introduce the course to the overseas based golfers.

The player categories include pros, amateurs and some of the island's outstanding juniors. Just under 50 players have completed their registration already including the defending champions, professional golfer Patrick Cover and amateur golfer Justin Burrowes.

Cover will be battling for his third win having copped the coveted trophy in 2019 when it was first played at Tryall and in 2022. Burrowes, on the other hand, already has three wins, having won the amateur section in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

So far entries have been received from the United States of America (USA), Canada, Australia and the Caribbean, namely Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados, and, of course, host country Jamaica. The playing format will be stroke play, 18 holes each day for a total of 54 holes.

This year's winner will bag USD$20,000 while the overall purse is over USD$100,000.

The JGA president Jodi Munn-Barrow, who spoke at the launch said that one can expect “a week of exciting golf as usual. Our defending champion in the professional Patrick Cover as well as our amateur champion Justin Burrowes, both have confirmed. They are going be under tight competition. Justin will have competition from the US and the Caribbean amateurs coming up to play him as well as our local amateurs. And of course the professional field is always good and they always have a very high level of golf."

Nunn also said the date was changed this year for a number of reasons.

“The dates that we were first considering were too close to the Thanksgiving holiday which tends to be more expensive, more issues with flights in and out of the US to Jamaica. In addition, an earlier date gives us a little bit extra daylight so we can start earlier or end later, especially if there is an issue that we have to delay play, then we have a little bit extra daylight to deal with, also if we get a larger field we can accommodate more golfers.”

Gordon Hutchinson, a former president of the JGA announced that administrator aficionado David Mais is the honouree.

“This year we thought that there were administrators who had made tremendous contributions and they should not be forgotten and David Mais is the one that first comes to mind. He has done a yoeman’s job over the years. He has never been a president of the JGA but he has assisted every president from the 80s come right up to the present, in administering golf tournaments to ensure that they are run properly,” said Hutchinson.

Mais was thrilled with the announcement.

“I am very thrilled, very excited (and) feel very honoured. I do appreciate the significance of what the Jamaica Golf Association has done because I follow some amazing people with this award, people like Seymour Rose, Biah Maragh, (Norman) Marsh, (and) Jasper Markland.

“They have contributed so much to the game. I am the first of the administrators to be awarded and so I hope that others will take this as a sort of opportunity for them to say that the work that we do behind the scenes and on the golf course, people are now beginning to understand how much work it is and how much responsibility you bear.”

Aqua Bay Resort returns as presenting sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. The other sponsors include TEF, Tryall, JTB, Digicel Business, Jamaica Tours, Grand Palladium, SDF, Fidelity Motors, Coldwell Bankers Reality Jamaica and Ultra Financiers Ltd.

LIV Golf has been denied world ranking points after having a request turned down by the Official World Golf Ranking body.

The Saudi-backed breakaway’s request was denied in a letter addressed to chief executive Greg Norman and chief operating officer Gary Davidson, where concerns were expressed about the circuit’s format.

The decision was made after the OWGR could not find a “fair and equitable way” to assess those competing in LIV golf events, meaning it will not be recognised as an Eligible Golf Tour according to the OWGR.

A statement from OWGR chairman Peter Dawson read: “It is unfortunate that no way to include LIV Golf in the ranking could be found which would be fair and equitable to the 24 currently eligible tours and their thousands of playing members.

“Keeping this matter under review, OWGR will continue to monitor developments in men’s professional golf as a whole and at LIV in particular.”

LIV responded to the decision, insisting professional golf is “now without a true or global scoring and ranking system”.

“OWGR’s sole objective is to rank the best players across the globe. Today’s communication makes clear that it can no longer deliver on that objective,” a LIV statement read.

“Players have historically remained subject to a single world ranking to qualify for major championships, the biggest events, and for corporate sponsor contract value.

“A ranking which fails to fairly represent all participants, irrespective of where in the world they play golf, robs fans, players and all of golf’s stakeholders of the objective basis underpinning any accurate recognition of the world’s best player performances. It also robs some traditional tournaments of the best fields possible.

“Professional golf is now without a true or global scoring and ranking system. There is no benefit for fans or players from the lack of trust or clarity as long as the best player performances are not recognised.

“LIV will continue to strive to level the market so fans, broadcasters, and sponsors have the assurance of an independent and objective ranking system and the pure enjoyment of watching the best golf in the world.”

Matt Fitzpatrick completed a fantastic fortnight with victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, as well as glory in the team event alongside mum Susan, just days after helping Europe lift the Ryder Cup.

The Englishman won his first point in his third Ryder Cup appearance in Europe’s 16.5-11.5 victory over the United States eight days ago and admitted he was in Scotland for a “free-wheeling” week at the all-star pro-am event.

But he produced rounds of 67-64-66 over Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews – in an event which was reduced to 54 holes and ran into Monday after a weekend washout – to finish at 19 under, three shots clear of fellow Englishmen Marcus Armitage and Matthew Southgate and defending champion Ryan Fox.

He also became just the second player after Padraig Harrington to win the individual and team event in the same year after he and mum Susan registered net scores of 64-58-59 to win by five shots at 35 under.

“It doesn’t get better than this,” he said. “Winning at St Andrews, it’s just a very special place. We’ve been coming here for a long, long time as well and it doesn’t get better.

“We played last year and didn’t quite play so well and this year she’s played fantastic and I played really solid as well. You just couldn’t ask for a better week.”

Susan Fitzpatrick added: “It’s been such a great week. It’s amazing they managed to get us out today but it’s been such a great day today. I enjoyed the course and played at a great pace. It’s been lovely so it’s been another great week.”

Fitzpatrick had been sat on his one-shot lead for two days after torrential rain left all three courses waterlogged over the weekend but showed no signs of rust as he birdied four of his first seven holes at St Andrews, with a bogey on the second.

That had him level at the top with Southgate who had made a fast start of his own but birdies at the 11th, 13th – courtesy of a long putt – 15th and last had him three shots ahead of Southgate and Kiwi Fox who fired rounds of 66 and 65 respectively.

Play had started later at Carnoustie to allow more time for the course to dry out and Armitage looked like he could threaten the lead as he carded an eagle and six birdies, but a bogey on the ninth – after starting on the 11th in a shotgun start – ended his chances as he signed for a 66.

The third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has been abandoned after Scotland was hit by heavy rain.

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for a large part of central Scotland, while a yellow weather warning covers most of the country.

There will be no play on Saturday at the DP World Tour event at St Andrews due to the inclement conditions, with Ryder Cup hero Matt Fitzpatrick currently one shot clear at the top of the leaderboard.

A statement on the DP World Tour’s official X page read: “Saturday’s play has been abandoned. Round three will begin at 09:00 local time on Sunday morning.”

Dundee’s Scottish Premiership game with Ross County has also been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

The Dens Park outfit said in a post on X: “Following the referee’s pitch inspection this morning, today’s match with Ross County has been postponed. Constant rainfall throughout the night and more forecasted has meant the match has been called off.

“The safety of travelling fans has been taken into consideration.”

Dunfermline’s Championship clash with Arbroath has also been postponed after failing an 11am pitch inspection.

In League Two, Bonnyrigg Rose’s match against East Fife and Elgin City’s home game with Stenhousemuir have also fallen foul of the weather.

World number two Rory McIlroy admits he feels so much responsibility when it comes to the Ryder Cup he starts thinking about it a year out.

The Northern Irishman won four points from five matches – the best haul of his career in his seventh event – to spearhead Europe’s regaining of the trophy.

His appearance on the first tee for Sunday’s singles received the biggest cheer and he duly responded with a 3&1 victory over Sam Burns to put his team within touching distance of regaining the trophy.

“I know my place in the team and I know guys look to me. But I don’t take that responsibility lightly,” he said.

“It is something that I have to have a lot of respect for and I have to think about it carefully.

“I want to do all right things and set a good example for the guys coming into the team.”

Europe’s captain Luke Donald only assumed the position a year ago after Henrik Stenson’s defection to LIV Golf and subsequent resignation of his European Tour membership made him ineligible.

That was when McIlroy’s thoughts started turning to how to win at Marco Simone.

“It was probably when Luke got the captaincy and things were certain again, when we had certainty who the captain was and we knew who the six or seven players that were locked in (were),” he added.

“Maybe about a year ago I really started to think about it and think about how we and could go about getting the Ryder Cup back – which thankfully we did.

“We want to try to enjoy this for the next couple of years and then get ready for New York (at Bethpage) and try to do something that is very seldom done in golf (win the Ryder Cup overseas).”

McIlroy has won four majors – albeit none since 2014 – and three big-money FedEx Cups but admits the buzz he gets from being in a Ryder Cup team is something different.

“It’s amazing. We play an individual sport. Golf is a game where you seldom win – you win two or three times a year and it’s a great year – but we only get one opportunity at this every two years,” he said.

“To be surrounded by people who care about it as much as you do is very meaningful. The atmosphere we played in this week I don’t think can be replicated in any other golf event in the world.

“That means something; to be able to play under that pressure and atmosphere, win your point and do what you are supposed to do for your team, it means the world to me and I am sure it means the world to everyone else.

“These the best days of our lives. This is why we practise, it’s why we sacrifice the time, it is why we put all the hard work and hours in for us to have moments like this where you go out there and be yourself and try to let your talent shine through.

“I’m really proud of myself because coming off Whistling Straits (where he won just one point in a record 19-9 defeat two years ago) I don’t know if I ever felt so low, not just in a Ryder Cup but in my career in general.

“The fact the team had the confidence in me to send me out number one on that Sunday and get a point: you can trace my form back over the last couple of years to that last Sunday at Whistling Straits.

“These guys believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and to have a group around you that does believe in you, it means the world to me.”