Glorious sunshine covered the Erin Hills links like honey on hotcakes yesterday, and doomed the dream of Phil Mickelson to compete at the 117th US Open.

Three leading golf management companies whose clients include Ireland's Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey today announced a joint venture agreement on the eve of the US Open.

The future of this month's Ryder Cup has been thrown into fresh doubt.