Ryder rant: On his website, Thomas Bjorn related his feelings about being left out of the team, describing his relationship with European captain Ian Woosnam (below) as "completely dead".

He added: "I have totally lost respect for Ian Woosnam. If the choice had been made only on competitive results, I could go along with it, but it seems there have been completely other reasons behind his choice.

"There are so many players who have told me that they thought I should get the pick. I'm in front of Lee in all the rankings. I have played better than him in the qualifying phase - and then Woosnam bases his decision on results which are more than five years old. I'm shocked.

"I don't understand the way he is handling the whole situation. It doesn't look like he is burdened by leadership qualities.

"I haven't heard a word from him in six months. I have spoken to several of the players who are in the team and have been there for a long time. They haven't heard a word either.

"Why do we have to run around and be the laughing stock? The whole week has been hell for all of us who have been - or who believed we had been - in consideration.

"And then it turns out that the choice was made based on two results at The K Club more than five years ago! The man is barmy.

"To be captain and not even communicate with your team at all. It doesn't give you much respect. It looks like he first needs to learn how to be captain.

"Right now I don't feel much like playing golf. I will probably take a short break. I obviously hope that the desire will soon come back, but right now I can't cope with it."