The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth marked the beginning of the 2020 Ryder Cup points qualifying campaign for Europe.
It will last 52 weeks, running up to next year's tournament at the same venue.
Padraig Harrington, the European Ryder Cup captain for the matches next year in Whistling Straits Wisconsin, this week appointed the first of his five vice captains, Robert Karlsson, who fulfllled the same role under Thomas Bjorn for the last edition in Paris.
Harrington sat down for a lengthy chat with RTÉ Sport's Greg Allen at Wentworth, revealing the heavy work load he's already enduring, his admiration for Karlsson and the fascinating contents of a stats list that have proven a real eye-opener a year out from the meeting with the USA.
"Our stats guys have given us the percentage chance of each player making the team," said the Dubliner.
"They've listed it out, from one player being 98.7% all the way down to the guys who are less than 5%. It's interesting looking at it and going, 'oh I didn't realise that guy was above that player'.
"There were a couple of players on the list where you'd be surprised - there was one amateur on it.
"There was one name on the list who I didn't know. I was amazed. And he is really good. Stats wise, this is a guy we're going to have to watch. And as I say, there was one amateur who I did know. He played in the last Walker Cup. It creates a great buzz to have a look at this and see how it's going to pan out."
One man who is right up near the top of that list is Open champion Shane Lowry.
The Offaly man has had a year to remember, and his compatriot Harrington is hoping he can maintaining his good form over the next year to seal his place on Team Europe.
"I forgot Shane was a (Ryder Cup) rookie. You don't think of him like that. He's in a tremendous position. He's very high up in the percentage chance of making the team. I really want him in the team. Whistling Straits is a big windy golf course and Shane is very good on big windy golf courses.
"It is a year away but I fully expect Shane to not give me any problems. He's ideally set for this golf course."
Harrington named Karlsson as his first vice-captain on Wednesday.
The 50-year-old made two appearances in the biennial event as a player, helping Europe to a record-equalling win at The K Club in 2006 and playing in the defeat at Valhalla two years later.
He is, says the captain, "made for the job".
"We talked about it back at the last Ryder Cup. I wasn't Ryder Cup captain at that stage but Robert did a tremendous job. He's very logical, doesn't let the emotions get involved. He's a good, straight guy, perfect in the position. I knew if I became captain I'd want somebody like Robert.
"I've known him for 22 years of my professional career. He is made for this job. He was my first choice as a vice captain.
"He was destined for this job. There's no ego about him, he's just there, doing his job at the Ryder Cup."
Harrington admitted his time has consumed by little details he didn't necessarily foresee.
"It has been very busy, much busier than I thought it was going to be," he said.
"There's been a lot of administration stiff over the last nine months, just organising everything from hats, bags, team rooms, bedrooms, clothing... a lot of things have to be done. Now, with the points starting, it kicks into a different gear."
Before him lies a huge mission. Going to America and turning over them over on their own patch will not be easy, but the 48-year-old has a quiet optimism.
"No different to the Europeans, they've got wise to it now and set the course up to suit themselves. The more open the course, the more birdies are made. These are things that play into their hands.
"Thankfully I'm going to a European-style golf course in America.
"There's potential for it to be windy, maybe even potential for it to be cool at that time of the year.
"I think this is as good an opportunity for a European team to go to the States... but it is very difficult to win on American soil."
