SAM TORRANCE

As if there wasn’t enough suspense and second-guessing of the Ryder Cup captains in past years, a nod to the COVID-19 pandemic could make things more topsy-turvy than usual this time around. The last time the envelope was actually opened was at the Belfry in 1993, when Scotsman Sam Torrance had to withdraw because of a foot injury and his match against Lanny Wadkins — whose name was in the U.S. envelope — was ruled a tie. Under the current agreement, Stricker would be able to replace a single player with anyone he chooses — from non-playing assistant captain Phil Mickelson to a player who flies in at the last moment.

Spain's Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez during day one of the Hero Open golf tournament at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel and Country Club in Birmingham, England, Thursday July 30, 2020. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)BIRMINGHAM Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez led a Spanish charge in the European Tours latest stop in England, shooting a course-record 10-under 62 in the opening round of the Hero Open on Thursday. Garcia Rodriguez set the pace at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel and Country Club course with a round that included two eagles and eight birdies. For me its incredible, Garcia Rodriguez said. Scotlands David Drysdale carded a one-over-par 73 on his 500th European Tour start.

England's Lee Westwood tees off the 5th during day one of the British Masters at Close House Golf Club, near Newcastle, England, Wednesday July 22, 2020. The European Tour resumes in earnest after its pandemic-induced shutdown with the British Masters starting Wednesday. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE NEWCASTLE-UPON-David Law of Scotland shot a 7-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over Oliver Fisher, Garrick Porteous and Renato Paratore in the opening round of the British Masters at Close House Golf Course near Newcastle on Wednesday. I did not really know what to expect and its probably (about having) a mindset of acceptance, Law said. The New Zealander had not made a cut on the European Tour since 2013 as he struggled with a foot injury and loss of form.

After back-to-back, low-key events in Austria where testing procedures got their dress rehearsal, the European Tour resumes in earnest after its pandemic-induced shutdown with the British Masters starting Wednesday. Swing, a series of six events played in England and Wales over the next six weeks devised primarily for ease of travel for players amid the coronavirus pandemic. Starting this week at Close House Golf Course near Newcastle, the venues are all within a three-hour drive of one another, scrapping the need for air travel to which players have become accustomed on the increasingly global European Tour. Some of the players will be used to this new norm from having competed at the Austrian Open and the Euram Bank Open events counting toward the European Tour and the Challenge Tour over the last two weeks. Swing kicking off the full return of the European Tour, only one player in the worlds top 50 Lee Westwood, at No.