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Top stars rule themselves out of Seve Trophy

Donald, McIlroy to miss Seve Trophy
© PA Photos
Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy rule themselves out of Seve Trophy while Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood are expected to appear.

Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy will not feature in the Vivendi Seve Trophy against Continental Europe in Paris later this month.

World number one Donald is committed to the FedEx Cup play-offs, while US Open champion McIlroy has decided not to compete. Britain and Ireland will also be without Graeme McDowell and Paul Casey, who have turned down the tournament.

European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal expressed his disappointment in the absentees.

"I'm sad that all our top players are not going to be playing in the Seve Trophy after his death this year,” Olazabal said.

"But I also know that with the top players in the world they do have their commitments like the FedEx Cup in America, getting world ranking points and in Luke Donald's case trying to finish top of both the European and US money lists.

"So they cannot appear at every event, and I am sorry they won't be there but because I understand their situation I certainly will not hold it against them at the Ryder Cup in a year's time."

Meanwhile, British pros Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are expected to attend while Open winner Darren Clarke will also compete in the event on September 15.

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