Golf: Monty handed headache as stars vie for Ryder Cup wild cards

Martin Kaymer has decided not to play the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles next week following his first major victory, but it is the absence of other stars that is giving Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie a real headache.

Kaymer's USPGA Championship triumph secured a debut for him, but it also knocked Luke Donald out of an automatic spot.

Justin Rose and Padraig Harrington have not made into the top nine either after missing the cut at Whistling Straits, and while Paul Casey did climb into the last qualifying spot he - like the others - has decided not to play in Scotland and could be knocked out.

Montgomerie has only three wild cards to hand out and four into three does not go. And it is not just four. Edoardo Molinari - Scottish Open champion and a World Cup winner with brother Francesco, who is on course to make the side - might well need a pick as well.

Henrik Stenson, laid low by illness since coming third in The Open last month, and 2008 European No.?1 Robert Karlsson have not qualified either, while Sergio Garcia, an ever-present since his debut in 1999, has been unable to find the spark which would have been another asset to the team.

Now that Rose could not make the top nine even by going and winning both this week in the Czech Open and then at Gleneagles, the focus of attention will be on Casey, Harrington and Donald.