European Masters is a very special week

The European Tour is in the picturesque Crans Montana in Switzerland for the Omega European Masters and I must say I am extremely disappointed that I had to pull out of the tournament this week.

The event is one of my favourite weeks on the European Tour for two reasons — I love the Crans-sur-Sierre golf course and, secondly, because it is a very special week for those associated with the Asian Tour.

This is the only tournament which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and is played in continental Europe. There are several co-sanctioned events between the two Tours, but all of them are played in Asia, so this is special indeed.

Having graduated from the Asian Tour myself, I know how much the players look forward to such opportunities to showcase their talent outside their own comfort zone. Playing with the European Tour players is always a good thing, but playing with them in their own backyard is something else.

It is unfortunate that the tournament is scheduled against the FedEx Cup Playoffs on the PGA Tour, which means some of the regulars such as world No.1 Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia are not in the field this year. That should, hopefully, not take anything away from a tournament that is very well organised and looked forward to by all the players.

I am off golf for another fortnight on doctor’s advice, which means I had to pull out of the European Masters and the KLM Open the week after. As I said last week, I have a bruised bone in the base of my right trigger finger, which can only become better with rest. A few years ago, I’d have definitely continued playing on pain killers, but I guess I have learnt my lessons after all the injuries I have had.

Captain Jose Maria Olazabal picked his two wildcards for the European Ryder Cup team on Monday, and I don’t think anybody would have been surprised to see Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts as his choices.

I know Padraig Harrington’s name was being thrown around, but the three-time Major champion needed to do well in his last few events to prove that his form warranted a place in the squad, but that did not happen.

Given his match play prowess and passion for the Ryder Cup, Poulter was always going to be a sure-shot pick. And the big-hitting Colsaerts, who becomes the first Belgian to feature in a Ryder Cup, has easily been the most consistent performer on the European Tour this year.

I personally think it is a very strong European team that Olazabal has, and I am sure it is going to be the closest of contests in Medinah this year.

— Jeev Milkha Singh is a four-time champion on the European Tour