Trio target Ryder Cup opening

The failure of David Howell and Ian Poulter to survive the cut in the Nissan Irish Open presented a golden opportunity for other Ryder Cup hopefuls to make a move this weekend.

And it was an opportunity which Paul McGinley, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell looked in the mood to take.

Howell lies eighth in the points race, while Poulter is in the 10th and last automatic qualifying spot – with only five more weeks to go.

McGinley, match-winning hero at The Belfry two years ago and 17th in the current standings, made it into the final two rounds at County Louth with nothing to spare at level par. But after 12 holes this morning he was up to four under and joint 17th place.

And that was despite a bogey at the long third. The Dubliner made up for that by grabbing birdies at the second, sixth, eighth, ninth and 10th.

Donald, who has just re-joined the European tour to make himself eligible for the match against the Americans, also stood four under after birdies at the second and third, while Ulsterman McDowell, 14th in the race, birdied the second to move to three under.