Faldo rules himself out

Nick Faldo has told Colin Montgomerie he is unavailable for the Seve Trophy match in Spain in two weeks' time.

Britain and Ireland captain Montgomerie has traditionally gone for the next highest player in the world rankings as his wild card pick for the match against Continental Europe.

That is currently Faldo, but the 46-year-old, desperately keen to play in next year's Ryder Cup, told his former cup partner not to pick him.

"We spoke about it a month ago and I said I had a corporate commitment in Portugal with BMW that is set in stone," said Faldo, competing this week in the Telefonica Madrid Open.

With Darren Clarke doubtful because he might qualify for the US Tour's Tour Championship, Montgomerie is not sure yet who will be in his line-up.

Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey and Justin Rose have qualified off the world rankings, while Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Phillip Price and Brian Davis are currently in position to make it off the European Order of Merit. The Madrid Open is the final qualifying event.

If Clarke drops out David Howell is next in line at the moment, while Faldo's unavailability could open the door to Paul Lawrie, one place behind him at 74th on the world rankings.

Faldo was among the early starters at Club de Campo, but on a chilly morning he pulled his tee shot to the 210-yard 11th - his second - and bogeyed to fall two behind pacesetters Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jamie Donaldson.

Jimenez, who won in Majorca on Sunday when Jose Maria Olazabal finished double bogey-bogey, birdied the 445-yard 12th, while Welshman Donaldson kicked off with a birdie three on the front nine.

Sandy Lyle, needing a top nine finish at worst to have a chance of keeping his exempt place on the European tour after 25 years, parred his first two holes.

Faldo is back at the course which kick-started his professional career way back in 1977.

"My third place here was my first top finish. I earned £1,500 (€2,100) and it put me on course for my Ryder Cup debut later that year," he said.

"I'm looking for cup points now and the same finish or better would be very nice again."