Race for The Ryder Cup

And so, at last, it begins. The race for the Ryder Cup is off and running. But by the look of things, other priorities are on the minds of Westwood and McIlroy. Westwood is desparate to become the European No 1 again, so needs to get back to winning ways. Hard as it is to believe, it is almost two years since he actually won outright.

McIlroy has some real motivation to win as well at Crans Montana, where the Omega European Masters kicks off today. He's third on the European Tour money list, and victory would take him above Martin Kaymer, who's out of action after a g-carting accident. Berk! He'd also be ahead of Paul Casey, who is at last back in action after his rib injury.

So it's all warming up nicely. And the count-down to the Ryder Cup has begun in earnest.