He might have closed with a pair of disappointing 75s to end up tied for 31st behind James Morrison but Michael Hoey still picked up € 12,675 to move up the Race to Dubai after the Open de España.

Michael Hoey is five shots behind English pair David Howell and James Morrison entering the final round of the Open de España at Real Club de Golf El Prat.

Asian Tour — Niall Kearney opened his Asian Tour account with a 53rd place finish and a cheque for $2,925 in the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.

Unless someone nicks the plane that's scheduled to whisk Paul McGinley from Pebble Beach to London, there should be white smoke emanating from next Wednesday's 2016 European Ryder Cup captaincy pow-wow.

Two-time Ryder Cup player David Howell has been named as the tournament players' representative on the five-man panel which will select the European Ryder Cup captain for the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota.

First the big news — Graeme McDowell and his wife Kristin have named their first child Vale Esme. Discovering the names of Paul McGinley's three wildcard picks will have to wait until Tuesday afternoon but if McDowell's comments on Stephen Gallacher's sprint for the line carry any weight, the Scot will be one of them.

With the Ryder Cup wildcards set to be announced by Paul McGinley on Tuesday, it's time for some wild speculation to match.

European Ryder Cup skipper Paul McGinley is to make an announcement on his Vice-Captains at Government Buildings in Dublin on March 6.