Surgery ends Donald's Ryder hopes

Luke Donald will definitely miss the Ryder Cup after undergoing surgery on his left wrist which will rule him out for the rest of the year.

The 30-year-old, a member of the last two victorious European teams, has not played since injuring himself in the final round of the US Open in June.

The Hertfordshire golfer has only lost once in seven Ryder Cup matches.

This year's tournament takes place at the Valhalla course in Lexington, Kentucky from 19-21 September.

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Donald was the eighth-highest placed European player in the world rankings when his injury struck, with the top five being assured of places in captain Nick Faldo's team.

"While there is never a good time for an injury, the timing of this injury was especially disappointing for me considering it forced me to miss the Open and it comes in a Ryder Cup year," Donald said.

"But taking proper care of it is my highest priority and I'm encouraged by Dr Andrew Weiland's experience with this type of injury and his outlook towards my recovery and rehabilitation."

Donald has been told he can start strengthening exercises in six weeks time, and can start chipping and putting again after three months of rehabilitation.

With three weeks left until Faldo's team is finalised, the players in line for the automatic places qualifying from the world points list are Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, Graeme McDowell, Rose, Oliver Wilson and Soren Hansen would also qualify from the separate table based on European earnings.

With Donald out of contention, the two captain's wild card picks will be made from a list including the likes of Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke.

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