Seve Trophy The Fallout:While the Seve Trophy is officially scheduled to return to The Heritage at Killenard in 2009, Nick Faldo - whose introduction to team captaincy ahead of next year's Ryder Cup in Valhalla had a winning outing in this preparatory event - is insistent that players will have to revise their scheduling to include the biennial match between Britain and Ireland with continental Europe.

Up to 11 players who were entitled to play in last weekend's match opted out of the match, most deciding to use it was a rest week.

"You know, they have the right to decision under heavy schedules," conceded Faldo, "but this event is growing in stature and, in respect to Seve (Ballesteros) and what he has done for the game in Europe, I think other players will recognise this event has got great competitive spirit and more will want to be here. I'm pretty confident they will start to schedule things to include the Seve Trophy."

Faldo did, however, praise Justin Rose's decision to play. The world number 13 competed for B and I, despite the fact that Ian Poulter, one of his best friends on tour, was getting married.

"We appreciated that," said Faldo, who anticipates that "Rosey, as he calls him, will be an important part of next year's defence of the Ryder Cup, continuing: "He's the guy you would put in as the 12th man (in singles) if you needed it.

"He is playing under pressure every week in America and really has come a long, long way this year. It won't be long before he gets into the winner's circle in America and, then, he's going to be a regular contender and regular winner, I'm sure."

Yet, there's no doubt that the absence of so many "name players" - and particularly that of British Open champion Padraig Harrington - militated against the attendances at The Heritage which, despite the poor crowds, proved itself as a magnificent venue.

Simon Dyson, for one, went so far as to praise the tee boxes which he reckoned were better than some greens on tour.

If Tom Keane, the owner, is to go ahead with staging the Seve Trophy in 2009, he is entitled to strong assurances from the PGA European Tour that they will actively encourage players to participate.

Indeed, Ballesteros acknowledged afterwards that something needed to be done and pointed out that negotiations were on-going with the Tour to "help the tournament" although admitting that the "last word" was with Keane.

"I would love to see the tournament here again, it is just perfect," added Ballesteros.