Ryder Cup Captain, Jose Maria Olazabal is saddened some of Europe’s leading golfers, and those expected to be the backbone of next year’s Medinah team, have made themselves unavailable for Vivendi Seve Trophy selection.
The two 10-men teams were announced today (Tuesday) by the European Tour howeveer it had not been to late Monday night that England’s Ian Poulter became the last player to confirm his intentions.
Poulter, who has now been cut from the FedEx Cup series, phoned GB & I captain, Paul McGinley from his Florida home and not soon after McGinley had returned from a family holiday on Corsica.
It was Olazabal’s choice, as the incumbent Ryder Cup captain, to choose McGinley as defending GB & I captain, and Frenchman Jean Van de Velde as Continental Europe captain.
However missing from the two teams are six players, all with both Ryder Cup and Vivendi Seve Trophy experience.
They include three of the world’s top four players – World No. 1 Luke Donald, World No. 3 Martin Kaymer and World No. 4 Rory McIlroy.
Also electing not to compete at Saint-Nom-la-Breteche is former U.S. Open champion, Graeme McDowell, England’s Paul Casey and Sweden’s Robert Karlsson.
“I’m sad that all out top players are not going to be playing in the Vivendi Seve Trophy after his death this year,” said Olazabal as he practiced Tuesday at Hilversum and venue for this week’s KLM Open.
“But I also know that with the top players in the world they do have their commitments like the FedEx Cup in America, getting world ranking points and in Luke Donald’s case trying to finish top of both the European and US money lists.
“So they cannot appear at every event, and I am sorry they won’t be there but because I understand their situation I certainly will not hold it again them at the Ryder Cup in a year’s time.”
Olazabal’s appointment as McGinley as defending GB & I Vivendi Seve Trophy captain is seen by the Spaniard as a litmus test of his leadership capabilities ahead of the likelihood of the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy.
“I am delighted that Darren, Lee and Poulter are playing as it will bring a heightened level of interest and excitement to the tournament,” said McGinley.
“And from a Tour point of view, and with my Tournament Committee hat on, it all goes well for the future of the event that Lee, Darren and Poulter are playing.
“But looking at both sides, Jean’s side looks stronger and they will be favourites. However that’s okay as were underdogs last time and we won by five points.”
However McGinley would not be drawn into discussion on McIlroy or McDowell not competing next week.
“I’m not going to comment, so don’t drag me into that, and besides I’m not going to criticise any players not playing next week,” said McGinley.
“All I can say is that I would have loved them both to play.”
The Vivendi Seve Trophy commences next week on September 15th.
