Surprises and improbable developments are frequent visitors to sports theatres, of course, but without confirmation of what they will be, it seems safe to suggest that you can cross Jason Day off your list of contenders at this week’s US Open.

Wildlife is not in short supply at Fota Island, but the Irish Open will have “Wild Thing” John Daly alongside the “Big Five” of Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley from June 19-22.