Shane Lowry was well entitled to a wry smile over the last day or two as he heard just about everybody talk up Ireland’s prospects of a medal at the 2016 Olympic Games now that Rory McIlroy has declared for Ireland and Graeme McDowell has confirmed he will wear the green, white and orange in Rio.

IF it boils down to a battle of the rookies at Celtic Manor this weekend, then the Ryder Cup will be safely back in European hands. There are 11 debutants between the two teams with six in the home side – with three straight into action this morning.