WORLD stars, whose qualification bids stalled, helped to stymie York-born Simon Dyson’s Ryder Cup dream.

After narrowly missing out on winning the Johnnie Walker Championship in Gleneagles to automatically secure his place in the Europe team to attempt to win back the trophy from the USA in Celtic Manor in five weeks, Dyson was then relying on a remote chance of being one of European captain Colin Montgomerie’s three wildcard picks. However, in the eagerly-awaited press conference an hour after the conclusion of the last counting tournament, Montgomerie confirmed it was “no Dys” as he spurned the claims of the 32-year-old Dyson.

Despite being the form European player over the last three tournaments – joint 12th in the USPGA Championships, joint fifth in the Czech Open and now sixth in the Johnnie Walker – Dyson missed out.

It is understood Montgomerie rang Dyson before his announcement to offer his condolences at being excluded from what the Malton & Norton Golf Club star had declared as a “life-long dream” to make the Ryder Cup team.

The Europe captain told Dyson that had it not been for so many world points-winners having to be considered for selection, the York ace might well have been picked to challenge the Americans in south Wales between October 1 and 3.

World number 68 Dyson declared he was “disappointed, but not distraught” at his exclusion and assured his followers he would try to continue his purple patch of form in this week’s European Masters at the Swiss complex of Crans-sur-Sierre.

Dyson’s father, John, said from his Huntington home how proud the family were, adding: “If anyone had said ten years ago when he turned pro that our Simon would have been on the brink of the Ryder Cup team, I would not have believed it. He has played brilliantly.”

Dyson’s bold bid to win the Johnnie Walker after rounds of 68, 70 and another 70 foundered yesterday at the turn where he dropped four shots in five holes.

But he again displayed his rubber-ball ability to get back to two over for the day and six-under for the championship, just three shots adrift of winner Edoardo Molinari.

The Italian bagged the first wildcard place to link up with his brother Francesco in the 12-strong European ranks. The other picks went to Luke Donald – 16th in the European points rankings, two places behind Dyson – and, surprisingly, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.

The Irishman, whose form has dipped badly this season, edged ahead of two other former Ryder Cup stars, Paul Casey and Justin Rose.

Casey, who opted to stay in America alongside Rose, Donald and Harrington to feature in the Fed-Ex event, had been Dyson’s pre- tournament tip alongside Harrington and Donald for the picks.

The captain asked them all to play at Gleneagles and they all turned him down, but the Scot – critical of Ian Poulter for doing the same two years ago – insisted his job was to pick the strongest side.

In Harrington’s favour he was the only three-time major winner among the candidates, while world number ten Donald has lost only one of seven Ryder Cup games to add to a perfect four wins out of four in foursomes.

A big factor for Montgomerie deciding against Dyson was already having six debutants in Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, the Molinari brothers and Peter Hanson.

European Ryder Cup team: 1 Lee Westwood, 2 Martin Kaymer, 3 Rory McIlroy, 4 Graeme McDowell, 5 Ian Poulter, 6 Ross Fisher, 7 Francesco Molinari, 8 Peter Hanson; 9 Miguel Angel Jimenez; wildcards Edoardo Molinari, Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald.