Langer misses Valderrama rematch with Monty

Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer were left with unfinished business when their play-off was halted by fading light in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama last year and they agreed to share the title.

But it won't be finished this week because Langer is nowhere to be seen. Only the top 60 money-winners are invited and Europe's new Ryder Cup captain is in 90th place, his lowest Order of Merit position since he turned professional in 1976.

Montgomerie is here, but the seven-times European No1 is ranked 28th. He has not finished so low since his rookie season in 1988, but with the first prize now in excess of £400,000, however, the 40-year-old could leap back into the top eight with a win.

The absence of this year's Order of Merit winner Ernie Els, last year's No1 Retief Goosen and Australian Peter Lonard means only 57 players will tee up tomorrow.