Rank and file to resist Ballesteros over wild cards

SEVE BALLESTEROS yesterday encountered fierce opposition to his demands for more Ryder Cup wild cards for this year's match against the USA.

The European captain has gained the approval of the European Tour's Tournament committee for an increase, and all 200 European born members are shortly to be balloted for their opinion.

However, the rank and file are now waking up to the fact that more personal picks for Seve means less automatic places for them, and it is by no means certain that the "clear majority" required to effect a change in the regulations will be forthcoming.

Chief bone of contention is that Ballesteros is asking for a change in the rules with the qualifying process for September's match at Valderrama already well under way. The Turespana Masters which starts at Maspalomas in Gran Canaria today is the 16th event of the 38 tournament series.

Ireland's leading contenders, currently headed by Darren Clarke are largely keeping their, gown counsel, but count Desk Smyth among those who believe in the status quo. "Europe should have more faith in its players," he said.

"Philip Walton was a 10th man last time and he was a Ryder Cup hero. It's wrong to change the rules at this stage," he said.

England's Lee Westwood and Paul Broadhurst, and Frenchman Jean Van de Velde are among the most vociferous opponents of alteration to the rules of qualifying, which were determined last year by the same Tournament committee who are now seeking a mandate for change.

Westwood, who beat Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley to win the recent Malaysian Open, and is currently 13th in the qualifying table, said: "I think it is a disgrace for Seve to try and move the goal posts once the game has got under way. It is the captain's job to uphold the rules, not to try and change them to his way of thinking".

Broadhurst added: "Maybe there should be a different way of determining the European team, but it is wrong to make changes once the qualifying has started. Any alterations should be kept for next time".

Van de Velde, who is aiming to become the first Frenchman in the European team, and is currently seventh with over 165,000 points, declared: "It is a joke to think you can change the rules in the middle of the game. It is like telling one team at half time in a rugby international that it is now okay for them to pass the ball forward. Seve won't get my vote".

He added: "Just think about if things stay as they are, and I qualify in ninth or tenth place. I won't have his confidence, but he will have to try and convince me that I am a great player and that I can beat any American".

Ballesteros, who has missed the cut in all his four tournaments this season, remains adamant that he needs greater freedom of choice so that he can call on US based players like Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Jesper Parnevik or Sandy Lyle.

"Valderrama is a difficult course that demands special players," Ballesteros said. "I don't want the ninth or tenth players in the team to be ones who play every week just to earn enough points. My aim is that Europe fields its best possible team and I don't think I am being unfair in asking for changes at this stage. We still have a lot of tournaments to go."