My golfing weekend

At last a winner for me at the Memorial, the Jack Nicklaus invitational to his own-designed course.

It was not achieved in the most auspicious of circumstances as on Saturday Jon Rahm led by 6 strokes only to be tested Covid positive and therefore unable to play the final day.

I was on Patrick Cantlay, lying second, with Collin Morikawa who fought out the final day – Cantlay winning the play-off.

Cantlay is one of a group of young American aspirants alongside Morikawa who has already won a Major, the PGA last year  Scottie Scheffle who was challenging at Memorial till he faded, Cameron Champ and Matt Wolfe.

Cantlay and Morokawa should make the Ryder Cup team but I fancy captain Steve Stricker will want more experience in his six picks and go for Patrick Reed who makes such an excellent pairing with fellow Texan Jordan Spieth.

I predict this team:

Dustin Johnson , Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth , Patrick Cantlay, Daniel Berger, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jason Kokrak, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele

The win of Cantlay – and Patrick Reed finishing in the top seven for my each way tickle – gives me a nice war chest and excuse to avoid a trip to the garden centre.

I was amazed to see England as favourites for the Euros as I thought the days of patriotic betting were over and I will place the Pargie tenner on Portugal at 9-1.