With the top two spots on the leaderboard held by a South African and an Australian, the British Open provided considerable food for thought for the rival Ryder Cup captains Davis Love III and Jose-Maria Olazabal.

RORY McILROY will get his bid for back-to-back major victories under way at Royal St George’s on Thursday in the company of a former champion and a fellow rising star.

England have named their squad for their World Cup qualifying match against Finland.