World Matchplay championship: Plans to stage the HSBC World Matchplay championship at Wentworth a week before next year's Ryder Cup would be misguided, argues Thomas Bjorn.

Bjorn is part of the 16-man line-up that starts chasing golf's biggest first prize, £1 million (€1.485 million), tomorrow.

"I've heard talk about it going the week before the Ryder Cup. If it did I think it would limit the field," said the Dane, runner-up to Ernie Els on his last appearance, two years ago.

"I don't think you would want Pádraig Harrington and Tiger Woods playing a 36-hole final before the Ryder Cup.

"This is the most tiring event you could ever play, that's for sure. When I lost to Ernie I was really tired - it was hard to get going that morning and when I woke up I was four down."

Els had a first-round bye that week, but starting last year the event was expanded from 12 to 16 players, which means whoever takes the title on Sunday will have played two rounds a day for four days in a row.

Hardly the way to arrive fresh for the Ryder Cup - easily the most gruelling mental challenge of the golfing calendar.

With Els, who won for a record sixth time last year, recuperating from knee surgery and Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson turning the event down, none of the world's top four are present this time.

While Harrington did not qualify, Sergio Garcia, Fred Couples, Davis Love and Chris DiMarco also rejected invitations.

"It's not a great slot, but what can you do? It's difficult at this time of year with so much going on," added Bjorn.

No Americans are taking part at Wentworth, but the field does include the first seven on the European Order of Merit.

Current leader Retief Goosen, who becomes top seed by virtue of his fifth place in the world rankings, plays outsider Kenneth Ferrie, ranked 109th, and the winner of that could face Colin Montgomerie, who opens against Australian Mark Hensby.

There are three all-European clashes on the opening day - Luke Donald against Bernhard Langer, the man who picked him for a Ryder Cup debut last September, David Howell against Jose Maria Olazabal and Bjorn against Paul McGinley.

As when he played Els - and achieved only the third hole-in-one in the tournament's history - there is more than a golfing connection between the Dane and McGinley.

"I saw him this morning dropping off the kids at school," stated Bjorn (Niamh McGinley is in the same class as Filippa Bjorn and Samantha Els).

"I saw Ernie as well and this event will miss him, that's for sure."

Britain and Ireland captain Colin Montgomerie is confident his side can win the Seve Trophy for the third successive time when they take on Continental Europe next week.

The Scot has finalised his team with the selection of Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey, who has experienced a return to form after a mid-season slump.

And despite missing the talents of Luke Donald, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, who have chosen not to play, Montgomerie does not believe that will adversely affect their chances.

"I am looking forward to taking the lead with this talented team as we try to make it three wins in a row over Continental Europe," said Montgomerie ahead of the clash in County Durham from September 22nd-25th.

Teams: BRITAIN AND IRELAND: C Montgomerie (capt), P Casey, S Dodd, N Dougherty, B Dredge, D Howell, P McGinley, P Harrington, G McDowell, I Poulter.

CONTINENTAL EUROPE: JM Olazabal (capt), T Bjorn, E Canonica, N Fasth, P Hanson, MA Jimenez, M Lafeber, T Levet, H Stenson, JF Remesy.