Langer chases Ryder Cup place

Bernhard Langer believes he is in a three-way tussle for two places in Europe's Ryder Cup team to take on the US in September at The Belfry. But the German, who tied for third in the Open at Royal Lytham on Sunday, would rewrite that equation with another strong finish in the Dutch Open that starts today.

A third Dutch title win for the veteran would catapult him into the top 10 in the Ryder Cup points table, from his current 14th position, and make him an automatic selection for the team. Langer , who puts his improvements down to a new set of clubs and a different ball, finished as runner-up to Australian Stephen Leaney on the same course last year,and tees off with the holder, Australia's Aaron Baddeley.

Langer sees himself, Jesper Parnevik and Sergio Garcia as the candidates for the European captain Sam Torrance's two wild card selections.

"I would like to be in automatically but if I don't make it, I think I've performed well enough to be in the inner-circle of the picks," he said

Langer's good form has taken him to 29th in the world rankings, the ninth-highest European. He has also performed well at the big events, finishing as the highest-placed European in the first major of the year, the Masters.

Two years ago, Langer was left out of the 12-man team selected by Mark James, as Parnevik and the Scot Andrew Coltart, who finished a place below him in the list at 13th, were preferred.

Whatever happens at the Dutchlinks course, however, Langer will take a fortnight's rest after the tournament, sacrificing two more ranking events in Sweden and Wales, before playing at the USPGA. "My schedule will not change. I can't play seven in a row," he said. "What am I trying to prove? If I am not good enough for Sam to be there with the tournaments I play, then I don't want to be there. It's as simple as that."

* David Dixon, the leading amateur in last week's Open, has turned professional following his showing at Lytham. The 24-year-old from Somerset has followed his silver medal in the 130th Open Championship by signing for the same management team as Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.