Bjorn rules plans for Match Play out of bounds

PLANS to stage the HSBC World Match Play championship at Wentworth a week before next year's Ryder Cup would be the wrong choice, claimed Thomas Bjorn.

Bjorn rules plans for Match Play out of bounds

Bjorn is part of the 16-man line-up which starts chasing golf's biggest first prize of £1million from today.

"I've heard talk about it going the week before the Ryder Cup. If it did I think it would limit the field," said the Dane, runner-up to Ernie Els on his last appearance two years ago.

"I don't think you would want Padraig Harrington and Tiger Woods playing a 36-hole final before the Ryder Cup.

"This is the most tiring event you could ever play, that's for sure. When I lost to Ernie I was really tired - it was hard to get going that morning and when I woke up I was four down."

Els had a first-round bye that week, but starting last year the event was expanded from 12 to 16 players, which means whoever takes the title on Sunday will have played two rounds a day for four days in-a-row.

Hardly the way to arrive fresh for the Ryder Cup - easily the most gruelling mental challenge of the golfing calendar.

With Els, who won for a record sixth time last year, recuperating from knee surgery and Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson turning the event down none of the world's top four are present this time.

While Harrington did not qualify Sergio Garcia, Fred Couples, Davis Love and Chris DiMarco also rejected invitations, the three Americans turning their priority instead to next week's Presidents Cup match in the United States.

"It's not a great slot, but what can you do? It's difficult at this time of year with so much going on," added Bjorn.

No Americans are taking part at Wentworth, but the field does include the first seven on the European Order of Merit.

Current leader Retief Goosen, who becomes top seed by virtue of his fifth place in the world rankings, plays outsider Kenneth Ferrie, ranked 109th, and the winner of that could face Colin Montgomerie, who opens against Australian Mark Hensby.

There are three all-European clashes on the opening day - Luke Donald against Bernhard Langer, David Howell against Jose Maria Olazabal and Bjorn against Paul McGinley.

As was the case when he played Els - and achieved only the third hole-in-one in the tournament's history - there is more than a golfing connection between the Dane and 2002 Ryder Cup hero McGinley.

"I saw him this morning dropping off the kids at school," stated Bjorn. Niamh McGinley is in the same class as Filippa Bjorn and Samantha Els.

"I saw Ernie as well and this event will miss him, that's for sure." Els has played in seven of the last 11 finals, his sixth victory last year breaking the record previously held by Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros.

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