Molinari shames stay away stars

Ryder Cup hopeful Edoardo Molinari has shamed Europe’s stay-away stars ahead of the last two qualifying events on home soil.

Millionaire stars Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose will need one of Colin Montgomerie’s three wildcards after opting to chase the US Tour’s $10m FedEx Cup bonus instead of trying to qualify automatically in the Czech Republic and Gleneagles over the next two weeks.

England’s Paul Casey is in the team right now but is vulnerable to a challenge from the likes of Molinairi or Luke Donald, who is considering skipping the FedEx Cup to play at Gleneagles.

And Italian star Molinari, who could also need one of Montgomerie’s picks, reckons his sterling efforts to qualify could count for nothing.

Asked if he was surprised that players like Harrington, Rose and ninth ranked Paul Casey won’t be travelling to Gleneagles, Molinari said: “A little bit as Colin at the beginning of the year said he would like all the players to play Celtic Manor and Gleneagles.

“I will play both as I think it is good to show you are making an effort to make the team. Obviously other players have different plans.

“I don’t think that will make a difference but I am making every effort to make the team and that’s all I can do.”

Molinari’s brother Francesco is currently in the team but while they teamed up to win the World Cup last year, a Ryder Cup partnership between the two Italians looks like a long shot.

Edoardo cannot make the team through the World Points list as US PGA champion Martin Kaymer, the new world No 5, has withdrawn from the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and reduced the number of world ranking points on offer.

Kaymer’s victory at Whistling Straits saw him push Luke Donald out of the nine automatic places by moving from the European Points to third in the World Points list.

Harrington could have found himself inside the top nine as a result of the German’s win.

But Casey’s 12th place finish in the final major of the season means that the Dubliner is now €1,247 outside the team in tenth place.

The Dubliner says he won’t be coming home to try and secure his place as he does not want to burn himself out with transatlantic travel.

Hoping for a pick, Harrington said: “I’m going to stay with my schedule.  I feel like I’m playing really good golf and just want to concentrate just on keeping it going, not crossing the world too much and be competitive when October comes round.