Paul McGinley is recovering after a sixth operation on his troublesome left knee.

The Ryder Cup hero and Britain and Ireland’s inspirational Seve Trophy winning captain will be on crutches for a week, but hopes to be hitting balls again by the end of the year.  “Hopefully this will be the last one,” said McGinley, who aims to make his return in Qatar early next year.

McGinley’s problems are the legacy of a major injury sustained playing gaelic football as a teenager.   He broke his kneecap and has suffered ever since.

The latest operation repaired badly torn cartilage on the outside of his knee while debris was also cleaned out.