Ryder Cup reject Miguel Martin of Spain has withdrawn from this week's British Masters which starts at the Forest of Arden tomorrow. While the controversy over automatic Cup qualifier Martin's replacement by compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal seemed likely to draw on, his decision to pull out this week effectively ends speculation about his fitness to play in Europe's defence of the biennial match at Valderrama next week. Olazabal took over the final automatic place and that left the way open for European captain Seve Ballesteros to pick Nick Faldo and Jesper Parnevik as wild cards.

This came about because Martin refused a fitness test three days after being given the deadline by the Ryder Cup committee, insisting he should be given longer and that the British Masters would be a fairer time to test his injured left wrist.

Now Martin, who has been injured since early July and has not played since missing the halfway cut at the British Open, has had to withdraw from the last event before the Ryder Cup and would clearly have not been tournament-fit to play against the Americans on home soil next week.

A British Masters tournament official said: "Martin did not provide an official reason for his withdrawal, but we understand he gave himself a personal fitness test on Monday in Madrid and failed himself. He was able to hit balls, but the action caused the wrist to get inflamed and he was not happy with the reaction."

With the withdrawal of Martin, the decision by the European Ryder Cup committee, which is contesting a compensation claim by the Spaniard's lawyers, appears to be vindicated.

European captain Ballesteros had distanced himself from the committee's decision, but is certain to be happy at the news.

It could throw a Tournament Players Committee meeting today into some disarray. Many players have expressed their disquiet at the handling of the Martin affair and the matter is due to be aired at this meeting.

The tournament spokesman said he understood Martin may still come to the Forest of Arden venue, having intimated he had been asked to attend a meeting during the week. Martin has neither agreed nor declined at the moment.

Martin's lawyers are in the process of a claim for compensation for loss of potential earnings from sponsorships and endorsements by their client being replaced and not being given enough time to prove his fitness.

The European Tour have said they were not anticipating that sort of settlement.