Big guns to miss out on Chrysler Classic

Not one of the world's top 20 is in the field for the US Tour's Bob Hope Chrysler Classic starting over three courses at La Quinta in California tomorrow.

The five-round pro-am event therefore presents the likes of Stewart Cink and Scott Verplank, the two highest-ranked players on view, with a golden opportunity to improve their chances of another Ryder Cup cap in September.

Cink and Verplank, 24th and 25th in the world, were Tom Lehman's wild card selections for the match at The K Club near Dublin two years ago and currently lie eighth and 12th respectively on the American points table.

The big change this year, though, is that only eight players rather than 10 earn automatic selection, new captain Paul Azinger pressing for and being given four picks.

Although most of Europe's big names are in the Middle East Swede Daniel Chopra, second in their cup standings after his win in the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii, is in action in the States for the third week running.

Welshman Richard Johnson, winner of the Nationwide Tour last season, makes his debut as a member of the main circuit and also playing are Scot Martin Laird, another promoted from the second tier, England's Brian Davis, German Alex Cejka and Chopra's compatriots Jesper Parnevik and Carl Pettersson.