McGinley will resist moves forcing stars to play in Seve Trophy

Paul McGinley will resist any move at this week’s Players Committee meeting in Portugal to make it compulsory for the likes of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell to compete in the Seve Trophy.

Europe ended a 13-year winless drought to win the tournament at the weekend. However, nine of Europe’s top golfers were absent — including eight players from last year’s victorious Ryder Cup side.

Those missing included the US Open winning trio of McDowell, McIlroy and Justin Rose, along with two European qualifies in Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer. Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano was unimpressed by the no shows. He said: “I still can’t believe the better players on the European Team were not here to support the event. The Seve Trophy is important for the European Tour because it’s about getting to know how to play team golf and it is about getting on with your team mates and that’s what Continental Europe did well this year under a great skipper in Jose Maria. Also Thomas (Bjorn) has been fantastic as he gave a fantastic speech on Saturday night over dinner and it’s always great to be around these legends. I just hope this tournament continues as the European Tour really needs this tournament and it’s because of this tournament that we are very successful in the Ryder Cup.