Trio set pace in Swiss Alps

The Ryder Cup qualifying process may have started this week, but three players who definitely will not be there lead the way in the Omega European Masters.

Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman and Michael Campbell share the lead on eight under par midway through the second round at Crans-sur-Sierre.

Els added a second round 69 to his opening 65, playing partner Campbell fired a 67 and Immelman was the best of the bunch with a 66.

And for once it was the Presidents Cup rather than the Ryder Cup which dominated the agenda high in the Swiss Alps.

Els is in the Rest of the World team to take on the United States in South Africa in November, but both Campbell and Immelman are smarting at being overlooked as wild cards by captain Gary Player.

Player opted for another South African, Tim Clark, and Korea's KJ Choi instead, Clark's fourth place in the USPGA championship no doubt having a major influence with the decision made just hours later.

"I definitely feel as if I have a point to prove, but more to myself than Gary," said Immelman. "Cambo and I were right in there for the wild cards and I think we can feel disappointed but we should have played ourselves into the team.

"We shouldn't blame Gary for the decisions he made but we'll have to wait and see if he made the right decisions.

"It was one of my biggest goals for the year to make the team, especially as it's taking place at Fancourt which is just two-and-a-half hours drive from where I live.

"That was a bitter pill to swallow and I was really pleased to have a top 10 finish the week after in the NEC Invitational."