Photo :INPHO
Ryder Cup Vice Captains, Thomas Bjørn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, get back to playing golf this week after a long week focussed on European Team selection.
Clarke and McGinley will form part of a six man Irish field at the Omega European Masters which returns to the scenic Crans-Sur-Sierre this week in Switzerland.
Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin returns to action for the first time since the 3 Irish Open in Killarney where he missed the cut on the Friday and is joined by Michael Hoey, who finished in 43rd place at the Czech Open.
Shane Lowry and Peter Lawrie travel hoping to fare better than at Gleneagles where both missed the cut. For Lawrie it was more of a disappointment having made the play off with Peter Hanson the previous week in Prosper, the Czech Republic.
2010 Ryder Cup qualifier, Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain, will make his 22nd consecutive appearance in the Omega European Masters and is still seeking his first victory in the event, despite finishing second in 1993 and 2004.
European Number One, Lee Westwood, has been forced to withdraw following the calf injury which resulted in him missing the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in order to take a prolonged break from the game in order to recuperate.
Two-time Major winner Greg Norman of Australia does compete at the €2million event in a career that spans 34 years and has seen him win 88 tournaments, including The Open Championship in 1986 and 1993.
Norman finished third at the Swiss Open – the predecessor to the Omega European Masters – in 1980, but will be appearing at Crans-sur-Sierre for the first time since 1995.
Simon Thornton remains three places outside the qualifying list and may miss out this week on valuable points needed to retain his card.
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