Shane Lowry confirmed he will partner McIlroy once again for the team event in Lousiana, which they won last year in a play-off.

Francis did not celebrate Easter Mass in the piazza, delegating it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica.

Xiao followed compatriot Lei Peifan into the last 16 after completing a 10-4 victory over qualifier Matt Selt.

A man in his forties has died following a one-vehicle collision at the Stainburn bypass in the early hours of the morning.