No reprieve for Olazabal

It was not meant to be taken the wrong way, or personally by Jose Maria Olazabal, but it was meant to put to an end, once and for all, any arguments about changing the Ryder Cup teams.

"Tough," was European captain Sam Torrance's answer when asked what if Olazabal was to win the US Masters next week but not be able to force his way into his side at The Belfry in September.

"You can't change it now," added Torrance, playing in the Algarve Open de Portugal at Vale do Lobo today.

"Everything's done, so I can concentrate on my own game this year.

"You've got to look at the form of the players in your side, but it makes no difference because when you go through those gates on the Monday at The Belfry it doesn't matter how you've been playing the past year.

"That's the time I want you to play." Stories about changing the wild card selections or adding in-form players to the teams after the contest was delayed for 12 months continue to circulate, despite Torrance and opposite number Curtis Strange speaking out against such suggestions.

Olazabal has been cited as a prime example of a player who failed to make the 12-man teams, but has since found top form, and a third US Masters title at Augusta next week is a distinct possibility for the Spaniard.

Indeed, all four major winners this year could find themselves not involved in the Ryder Cup, but Torrance and Strange are correctly adamant that it would not be fair to those who did qualify to change the teams because of the 12-month delay after the 11 September terrorist attacks.