Paul McGinley emerges from shadows to take strategic Ryder Cup role

The Dubliner (57) quietly advised Donald behind the scenes for the 2023 matches and now joins the Englishman and his vice-captains Edoardo Molinari and Thomas Bjorn in formally devising a winning strategy for Bethpage.

“It is clear we have built a very strong template for winning at home in Ryder Cups, but I see my job as helping Luke, his vice-captains and his backroom team to look at an away match differently from how we’ve looked at it before,” McGinley said.

Rahm and Hatton are eligible once they meet DP World Tour membership criteria but Europe will have to carefully look at the qualifying system. As for 2027 captaincy in Adare, Europe is looking closely at Justin Rose with the Englishman likely to cut his teeth as a skipper in the Hero Cup next year. Shane Lowry is keen to be in New York but he had a frustrating day in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, where he bogeyed three of his last seven holes and opened with a two-over 74.

He was nine shots behind Canada’s Adam Hadwin, who shot a six-under 66 to lead by two shots from world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and by three from PGA champion Xander Schauffele and Masters runner-up Ludvig Aberg. “It felt like I hit a lot of quality shots today,” Scheffler said after a tap-in birdie at the last. “It felt like my ball striking was really good, and I was able to hole a few putts as well.”​

Meanwhile, Lauren Walsh took advantage of a late call-up for Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed and carded a bogey-free, five-under 67 in Sweden to share fifth place, just four shots behind home hope Sebastian Soderberg.

Walsh (23) was first reserve and after learning she’d made the field on Monday, she put her “chaotic” preparations behind her by following birdies at the first, third and sixth with two more at Vasatorps Golfklubb’s 16th and 18th.

“I booked a hotel until Thursday because I thought I was first reserve and then realised yesterday, ‘Oh, I have to extend that,” said Walsh, who lies fifth in the LET’s Rookie of the Year race.

“So it’s been great. It’s been a fun week so far. It definitely feels like it’s a little bigger stage. It’s just cool for us.”

At the Challenge de Cadiz, Gary Hurley shot a five-under 67 to share third place, just three shots behind American James Nicholas with Ruaidhri McGee tied fifth after a 68.

Scandinavian Mixed, noon Memorial Tournament, 5.0pm (Both live on Sky Sports)