Olazabal 'saddened' by absence of stars at Seve Trophy

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 European team in Medinah, have made themselves unavailable for next week's Seve Trophy. The two 10-men teams were announced Tuesday by the European Tour and missing from the lists were three of the world's top four golfers - Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy. Also electing not to compete in the Great Britain & Ireland v Continental Europe clash at Saint-Nom-la-Breteche in France are former US Open champion Graeme McDowell, England's Paul Casey and Sweden's Robert Karlsson. "I'm sad that all our 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, venue for this week's Dutch 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 against them at the Ryder Cup in a year's time." Olazabal's choice of Paul McGinley as defending GBR & IRL captain is seen by the Spaniard as a litmus test of his leadership capabilities ahead of the likelihood of the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy. Olazabal picked Frenchman Jean Van de Velde to take charge of Continental Europe. McGinley commented: "I am delighted that Darren (Clarke), Lee (Westwood) and (Ian) 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." 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 Seve Trophy starts on September 15.