Will Euros Be Sending Westwood Don't Get Well Soon Cards?

Lawrence Donegan wonders if Paul Casey's great play and a loophole in the replacement pick department could mean that Casey will join the European Team if Lee Westwood isn't ready to go.

Westwood, who has not played competitive golf for more than a month, is recuperating from a leg injury and Paul McGinley, one of Europe's vice-captains, conceded in an interview with the Guardian that the world No3's fitness will be "an unknown factor until he turns up".

If Westwood is forced to withdraw from the 12-man team, his place is supposed to go automatically to the next man on the world points qualifying list, Edoardo Molinari. But since the Italian was one of Montgomerie's three captain's picks, another wild-card selection would be required, a European Tour spokesman confirmed.

Inevitably, the spotlight would fall on Casey, who has risen to seventh in the world rankings, and Justin Rose – both of whom were controversially omitted.