Birthday boy Paul says no to US invite

ENGLAND’S Paul Broadhurst has turned down his invite to next week’s USPGA at Baltusrol in New Jersey as it clashes with his 40th birthday party.

Former Ryder Cup star Broadhurst was invited alongside countrymen Steve Webster and Nick Dougherty.

The final major of the season traditionally tries to attract as many of the world’s top 100 as possible.

“It’s unfortunate but I’m not prepared to cancel everything,” Broadhurst told BBC Radio Leicester.

“It’s something we’ve planned for four to five months, before I won the Portuguese Open and climbed the world rankings.

“I’m not playing because it’s my 40th birthday and my family and some relatives are away for that period.

“My wife’s right behind me - she wants me to play, but it’s my decision.”

Thirty Europeans will be lining up for the year’s fourth major, but the injured Ernie Els, the world number three from South Africa, is ruled out.

The full list of Europeans taking part: Thomas Bjorn, Paul Casey, Alex Cejka, Darren Clarke, Brian Davis, Stephen Dodd, Dougherty, Luke Donald, Niclas Fasth, Stephen Gallacher, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson, Pádraig Harrington, David Howell, Fredrik Jacobson, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Maarten Lafeber, Bernhard Langer, Thomas Levet, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal, Greg Owen, Jesper Parnevik, Ian Poulter, Jean-Francois Remesy, Henrik Stenson, Webster and Lee Westwood.

Swede Richard Johnson is fourth reserve and England’s Justin Rose eighth alternate.