Liam Bond was today looking to take a step closer to an unlikely victory in the ISPS Handa Wales Open which would quadruple his career earnings and leave him top of the Ryder Cup qualifying race.

As first impressions go, Norway’s Espen Kofstad could hardly have done any better as the Ryder Cup qualifying race got under way in the ISPS Handa Wales Open.

Captain Paul McGinley today struck the very first shot in the Ryder Cup qualifying race – and 10 minutes later carded the first bogey in the year-long process.

Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley insists he’s ready to be ruthless when required as he looks to lead Europe to an eighth victory in the last 10 contests at Gleneagles next year.