European Ryder Cup vice-captain Des Smyth will get an early chance to reacquaint himself with the rigours of the role when he teams up with Miguel Angel Jimenez for the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia in two weeks.

There have been some statements from either side of the Atlantic in recent days that have been giving pause for thought regarding the relative status of the European Tour and its bold and brash American cousin, the PGA Tour.