Welcome to your Friday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed has apologised for an "unacceptable" foul-mouthed outburst on the opening day of the WGC-HSBC Champions Event in Shanghai, but is still set to be punished by the PGA Tour.

Shane Lowry needs only to finish top 20 in this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions event to find himself among the chosen 50 in world golf.

Rory McIlroy has not won all season, has gone from world No 1 to sixth in the rankings and is 62nd on a European Tour money list, which he won last year to go with the US equivalent and five victories, including a second Major title.

Rory McIlroy has not won all season, has gone from world number one to sixth in the rankings and is 62nd on a European Tour money list which he won last year to go with the US equivalent and five victories, including a second major title.

Rory McIlroy has ruled out any off-course socialising with Tiger Woods after his disappointing showing in the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

Only a short few years ago, the chances of any player leading the orders of merit on both the PGA and European Tours were slim in the extreme.

With Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke now neck and neck favourites to captain the European Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles in 2014, and Shane Lowry winning his first tournament as a professional in Portugal, the game in Ireland has certainly been in the news over the last week or so.

Pádraig Harrington burst back into form with his lowest-ever career round with a 10-under par 61 on the opening day of the Transitions Championship in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Graeme McDowell is just five shots off the lead following his second round at the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

GRAEME McDOWELL feels Rory McIlroy’s victory in Shanghai may have silenced a few of his critics.

Lee Westwood will be confirmed as the new world number one tomorrow morning after Martin Kaymer failed to achieve the top-two finish required in the Andalucia Masters.

JOSE-MARIA Olazabal this week begins his bid to convince Tour chiefs he should captain Europe in their Ryder Cup defence against the USA at Medinah in 2012.

All four of this season’s major champions have now joined Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood in the field for the €5.3mn WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai on November 4-7.

HOWEVER much Ross Fisher enjoyed his Volvo World Match Play win, it was matched by Sweden’s Peter Hanson.