Darren Clarke, whose wife Heather is battling cancer, withdrew from the Volvo Masters after his second round at Valderrama today.

Padraig Harrington, famous for the number of second places he has had in his career, will happily settle for another this week.

For the first time since their record-breaking win, Europe’s Ryder Cup team are all together at a tournament – the Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie were left with some unfinished business when their play-off was halted by fading light in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama last year and they agreed to share the title.

Record prize money of €3.5m has been confirmed for the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama from October 30 to November 2.