Miguel Martin has been officially recognised by the Royal and Ancient as a member of last year's European Ryder Cup team. As a consequence, they have given the Spaniard an exemption from final qualifying for the British Open at Royal Birkdale in July.

It will be recalled that Martin, who finished 10th in the final points table, was unable to take his place in the side because of serious damage to his left wrist. Ironically, it was while playing in the Open at Royal Troon that he exacerbated the injury.

According to the R and A, if injury had not prevented him playing at Valderrama, Martin would have been exempt this year under Category 5 (16) which includes "all playing members of the 1997 European and USA Ryder Cup teams". At the moment he is not exempt under any other category.

As it happens, Martin has had a recurrence of the wrist problem and may require another operation. "It has never really be right since my surgery last August," he said. "Pain is particularly noticeable on the soft shots." Meanwhile, Keith Nolan, who is endeavouring to retain his US Tour card, has received a significant boost with the McNally Design Group's decision to become his official sponsor.

Nolan, a former Walker Cup player and graduate of East Tennessee State, will be sponsored by the group which includes The Irish Pub Company - the company which designs Irish pubs.

"We're delighted to be able to invest the returns of our success in a young Irish sportsperson such as Keith," said Brendan Buckley, vice-president McNally Design Group USA.