It is Paul McGinley's turn to try his luck against Tiger Woods in the first two rounds of the €5.8 million Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, which starts tomorrow.
Four days after Luke Donald could do no better than 74 when joint leader in the final round of the US PGA championship, McGinley has been paired with Woods and fellow American Jason Gore as he begins his bid to seal his third Ryder Cup cap.
The Dubliner missed last week's major to attend the funeral of Darren Clarke's wife, Heather, but returns now to the Firestone course on which he finished third last year, two behind Woods.
In McGinley's favour in terms of making the Ryder Cup team is that chasing players like Paul Broadhurst and Kenneth Ferrie have not qualified this week.
That said, McGinley knows simply being present this week is not going to be enough.
"Everybody thinks they give away money in these world championships," he commented. "But it's only if you play well and finish in the top 25 that there's a lot to be gained."
Padraig Harrington will play alongside Chris DiMarco and Mike Weir.
McIlroy heads team
Rory McIlroy (18) heads a six-man team in the European Amateur Team Championship which gets under way over the Biella course in northern Italy this morning.
Aaron O'Callaghan from Douglas and Lurgan's Gareth Shaw are keen to make their mark, while Richard Kilpatrick, Shane Lowry and Peter O'Keefe complete the party.
Meanwhile, at Prince's, Sandwich, today the Women's British Open strokeplay championship begins with two of Ireland's four Curtis Cup players, Tricia Mangan and Martina Gillen, among the likely frontrunners.
