World Matchplay: First round draw: The European Tour roadshow may have pitched up to Madrid but for some of the principal players the conversation is effectively directed towards the Ryder Cup at The K Club next week. Local favourites Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez tee it up at the Madrid Open over Campo 2 at the La Moraleja club but even they can't quite shake the shackles of Ryder-mania on the evidence of yesterday's press conferences.
It was a fate shared by Ireland's Padraig Harrington who escaped the manic hype of Ireland for the sweltering temperatures of the Spanish capital. He was asked to give his thoughts on Darren Clarke's decision to play The K Club.
"It's great to see him out and he looks like he is playing well - there is no reason why he can't play well this week and next week. I think he will be a great help to the team and the team will be a great help to him."
This week's field also includes Thomas Bjorn and Ian Poulter as well as a sizeable Irish contingent in Clarke, Harrington, Damien McGrane, David Higgins, Gary Murphy, Peter Lawrie and Stephen Browne.
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