Continental Europe favored over Britain-Ireland in Vivendi Trophy

PARIS (PA) -- What does the European Tour do in a year without a Ryder Cup? It stages a Ryder Cup-style match between teams from Continental Europe and Great Britain-Ireland.

The 2009 edition of the Vivendi Trophy -- long known as the Seve Trophy -- takes place this week outside Paris. The bookmakers have Continental Europe listed as the favorite because it is lacking only two of its stars -- Sergio Garcia and the injured Martin Kaymer.

Britain-Ireland is having to make do without six players who could have played. Paul Casey is still recovering from his rib muscle problem -- he hopes to return to action in Scotland next week -- and Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald are at the PGA Tour's Tour Championship in America, while Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose wanted to rest.

That makes 20-year-old Rory McIlroy its top-ranked player -- and he insists he never thought of missing it.

"I'm very excited," said McIlroy, who will patner with fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell in Thursday's opening fourball against Soren Kjeldsen and Alvaro Quiros. "It's my first team event as a pro and I'm looking forward to playing under Paul. I was always going to play if I made the team.

"When you get into weeks like this it makes you realize how special team golf is," he added. "It's a lot of fun and you want to do your best for the others as well as yourself."

It is not hard to identify the Continental player most excited about playing. Last year's European No. 1 Robert Karlsson finally returns after almost four months out with a blister behind his left retina.

"I've played two rounds of golf and hit balls twice, I think," said the Swede. "The rest of the time I spent with family and friends and enjoyed a life that I didn't know I have.

"I was trusting the doctor who said my career was not in jeopardy, but you never really know," he explained. "It was quite worrying and when he said I could play I was so happy."

He partners Henrik Stenson against Chris Wood and Anthony Wall.

"I guess Henrik could be a bit worried," added Karlsson, who was told his condition might have been stress-related.

No event in golf has the intensity of the Ryder Cup, but Continental Europe Captain Thomas Bjorn insists this is not a garden party.

"When you are a continental European, there is nothing better than beating Brits!" he said with a smile.

Unlike the Ryder Cup, the competition at St. Nom la Breteche is over four days rather than three.

Fourballs are played on Thursday and Friday, followed by greensomes and foursomes on Saturday and then singles on Sunday. Greensomes are when partners both drive on each hole, but then choose one ball.

Britain-Ireland Captain Paul McGinley said there was a "75-25" chance of Seve Ballesteros flying to Paris this weekend and being present at a European Tour event for the first time since the discovery of a brain tumor last October.

Nothing, McGinley said, could boost the match more than to have the Spanish superstar in attendance. But even if he does not feel well enough after after his recent bout of radiotherapy, Ballesteros' impact has already been felt.

A message sent to the 20 players was read out to them by McGinley, who said: "It's quite an emotional letter and there was a lot of thought that went into it.

"A lot of points he made were not just about golf, but about life and the position we hold in life -- how lucky we are to be who we are and doing what we are doing," he added. "And to enjoy it because time flies very quickly.

"If you can bring his spirit into the team, I think that's all I want to add to the week. Inspiration was the word," he said. "He's a special person and has done a huge amount for the European Tour as everybody knows. He wants to leave a legacy and the Seve Trophy is something that he really believes in.

"I spoke to him twice last week and I know he will do everything he can to be here. He said he is playing the toughest tournament of his life -- and he also said he will win."

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