Langer still searching for answers

WITH the race for places in Europe's Ryder Cup team now past the halfway stage, captain Bernhard Langer still has plenty of questions to be answered ahead of September's Oakland Hills showdown.

The start of the Seville Open today marks the 24th of 45 tournaments before Langer, who last week finished fourth in the US Masters, will finalise his 12-man squad. While American captain Hal Sutton can be happy with the way his side is shaping up, the biggest concern being whether Jim Furyk recovers in time from wrist surgery, Langer has much to ponder over the next four months.

At present, the 10 players in position for automatic qualification are as follows (and in order): Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Darren Clarke, Fredrik Jacobson, Lee Westwood, Brian Davis, Ian Poulter, Raphael Jacquelin, Paul Casey and Carlos Rodiles.