McMANUS BRACED FOR SCOTLAND'S RYDER CUP

Alan McManus admits he cannot wait for golf’s Ryder Cup at the end of September – all the more so as someone who has played the Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course.

After snooker golf is the Scot’s greatest sporting love, and the biennial contest between Europe and the United States will be staged in Perthshire later in the month.

Glasgow’s McManus is one of several snooker players past and current with some real golfing pedigree, playing off a handicap as low as five.

Speaking in Shanghai ahead of his match against Ronnie O'Sullivan he said: “When I first played the Centenary Course that will be used it was still called the Monarch’s course. It is a cracking course, though there have been some changes since last time I was there. I know the 18th is harder now for the longer hitters.

“I used to really like the first hole, but we will all be familiar with these holes in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait for it to start, and luckily we [players] are at home, which is a bonus. It is one of the best sporting events to watch for me.

“If I went I certainly would be out on the course rather than in a tent, but to start with there are only the four matches at a time, and then the singles there is so much going on simultaneously so I will happily be watching it on TV.

“I was really pleased Stephen Gallacher got in for his debut, he fully deserved his place having only just missed out and no one is saying it is for political reasons – but it will give it an extra edge having a Scot in the team. There would have been disappointment if he had missed out, as the crowd want a home guy to cheer.

“I have played Stephen Hendry at Gleneagles though on the other courses, but he will have played the Centenary Course a hundred times as a member there for ages. They closed the course a couple of weeks ago, so it should be all set up beautifully.”

The 43-year-old also revealed there were early moves afoot to try and stage a Ryder Cup style contest among snooker’s golfers.

He added: “We have been talking about maybe doing something like that, going to Spain or Portugal and doing an eight v eight for a bit of fun. I reckon Barry Hearn would enjoy seeing that. It might have to be England v the Rest to make it work on the numbers.”

Photograph by Monique Limbos

BELTING FIRST SESSION FROM MCMANUS

ALAN McManus is a proud Scot, having once emerged for a Crucible semi-final against compatriot Stephen Hendry to the sounds of a piper.

So it was perhaps not a complete surprise when he came out for his first-round match with close friend John Higgins resplendent in Mackenzie tartan trousers and matching bow tie.

What was more unexpected was to see a World Snooker official dashing in to the media centre after the first frame of the afternoon, won by Higgins, and asking if anyone could lend the world No35 a belt as his strides were too loose for comfort on their debut showing.

A potentially embarrassing incident on live television was avoided when scoreboard operator Geraint Phillips obliged, and armed with the lucky accessory McManus embarked on a winning streak of six frames to take control of the match before Higgins closed to 6-3.

The 43-year-old McManus said: “I am very patriotic, and to be honest it was a bit of a dare between me and Anthony McGill if either or both of us got to the Crucible.

“It is Mackenzie tartan – but they were a bit loose as I forgot to bring my belt with me. My shirt was coming out, and that can happen with new trousers you have never played in.

“I suppose they could have fallen down, I don’t think so but you never know what could have happened out there in the arena.”