Padraig feels the squeeze

The low-key European Masters, held at the quiet, refined Swiss mountain resort, will bear no resemblance to the raucous roughhouse of Chicago, where the great contest will be played out in 13 months’ time.

Like every event from now on though, it holds added significance thanks to the new captain’s emphasis on form rather than favour.

Even before Olazabal announced he would be voluntarily cutting the number of wild-card selections from the three enjoyed by Colin Montgomerie to two, it has never been harder to make the European team – this is an official golden era after all.

But it means some major players – and Major champions – are going to have to live up to their reputations to avoid being squeezed out for Medinah. Even with three picks, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and Justin Rose could not make the Celtic Manor side.

And neither Graeme McDowell nor Ian Poulter, two of the heroes of Wales, could be certain of making the side automatically based on the way they are playing.

It has to be assumed Olazabal would give them a leg-up if needed, but the same cannot be said for Padraig Harrington.

He has played in the last six Ryder Cups but needed a wild card for his last appearance at Celtic Manor.

The man who set the ball rolling for the present generation of European conquistadors with his three Major wins has continued to drift down the rankings.

Omitting Harrington would be a tough call for Olazabal, but unless the Irishman finds his game again it may well be one he has to make.

While neither Casey nor Rose has offered much indication this season that they will be the ones to benefit from the extra qualification place available from the world list, there have been good signs from Garcia.

The improvement in his putting in 2011 has opened the door and, after the unpalatable experience to a 30-year-old of assistant captaincy at Celtic Manor, Garcia would jump at the chance.

Europe, and in particular Luke Donald, with whom he holds a 100 per cent record in foursomes, would welcome his return.

No one knows the importance of a proven double act better than Olazabal, who was one half of the best in history alongside Seve Ballesteros, so even if Darren Clarke does not make the team by right there is every chance the Open champion will be restored for the first time in six years to link up again with Lee Westwood.

The rookies are always the hardest to predict – who knows where Oliver Fisher’s career could go after his win at the Czech Open? – but the nearest thing to a certainty is the Italian prodigy Matteo Manassero.

Olazabal’s fellow Spaniard Alvaro Quiros came close to qualifying from the European list last year.

If he manages to get over the line this time it will give Olazabal some potent counter artillery should the Americans decide to set up Medinah to suit their bombers.

The same applies to the US-based Scot Martin Laird, who is taking up European Tour membership with the sole aim of claiming a Ryder Cup place.

With Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer to throw into their second Ryder Cup, it looks a strong side for the defence, but the team would not be complete without an obscure Scandinavian Hansen or Hanson.

At Valhalla it was Soren, at Celtic Manor Peter, so by the law of averages this time it will probably be the ultra-consistent Anders, Europe’s highest finisher at the USPGA.

Olazabal’s likely team – Qualifiers: Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Matteo Manassero, Martin Laird, Anders Hansen, Alvaro Quiros. Captain’s picks: Ian Poulter, Darren Clarke.