Thomas Bjorn let rip at Ian Woosnam today in a way that will send shock waves through European golf two weeks ahead of the match against the Americans.

Europe's captain opted for Lee Westwood instead of the Dane as his second wild card for the defence of the trophy at the K Club and, while Bjorn wants it made crystal clear he has nothing against Westwood as a person or a player, he is seething with rage about Woosnam.

And he has chosen to speak his mind. Bjorn had said on Friday he would be airing his views if he did not make the side and he has.

"I feel gutted," the 35-year-old said. "I think he has been very poor. A friend of mine he isn't - and I don't have
a problem saying that. I think I am entitled to my opinion. I can't just sit there and be quiet. And I think it needs to be said in my view. In my view solely.

"He's not taken charge of the captaincy in the way I see a captain should take charge and it's disappointing. He's put a lot of guys through misery by not talking to them.

"He never called me (before or after announcing Westwood as his pick). He came into the bar at the hotel and gave me 20 seconds about Lee having won twice at the K Club. In a bar - that kind of sums it up.

"He can't walk up to me, tell me in 20 seconds and expect me to be happy. I'm very disappointed. I think he's been very poor in the way he's handled the players. I slept all right because I've kind of come to terms with it. It reflects the way he has done things and the way I feel about Woosie.

"I know how I would be if I was captain. I'd be honoured, but I'd make sure it was about the 12 players and not about myself. I have nothing but good to say about Lee, Darren and the other 10. The first person I called when I heard was Lee to congratulate him.

"I'm happy for him because I know how much it means to him. He will put in a great performance because he always does. I want the team to play their best and win. They have a great chance and they need to stick together. But I don't care about Woosie."

The point Woosnam made about Westwood was, aside from his cup record and showing some form lately, his successes at the K Club (in 1999 and 2000) had tipped the scales in his favour.

Bjorn, on the other hand, is best remembered there for running up an 11 on the 17th in a last round 86 last year after going into the day four clear.

"If that's what it's come down to then why didn't he tell me 'I don't think you've got the bottle to stand on the 17th tee'? If that's what it came down to then I would have liked him to tell me.

"Yes Lee's won twice there. But Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros won at Augusta and I don't think they'd be picked if this Ryder Cup was being played there. Woosie played with me when I finished second at the K Club (in 2001) by finishing three-four-three."

That is eagle-birdie-birdie and it won Bjorn a £100,000 diamond for playing the par fives in 14 under that week.

"So I've had good experiences there too. But if it's come down to one bad one then why didn't he tell me. I had the bottle to hit the first shot at The Belfry four years ago. I jumped at it. There was no issue with me then.

"If you don't want to get to know your players then you have to pick on performance and he's certainly not done that. It's very clear to me he's not, so I've got to put it down to something personal and that makes me feel sad.

"It's just the lack of showing interest. It really does surprise me and I feel I am entitled to express my view, certainly in these circumstances. Last week was probably the hardest I've ever had to play golf - the uncertainty of it.

"I've no clue where this went wrong. At least at the British Open (he lost at Sandwich in 2003 from three ahead with four to play) I knew exactly. I got fairly close to the team (13th compared to Westwood's 21st) and while Lee's played two more Ryder Cups than me it's not like I don't have experience."

The pair of them made their debuts in 1997, Bjorn being left out the first day, but then having a fourball win with Woosnam and on the Sunday coming back from four down after four in his singles to get a half with Open champion Justin Leonard.

He missed the 1999 match after suffering an injury, but in the 2002 clash he and Clarke had a brilliant opening fourball win over Tiger Woods and Paul Azinger and after losing their next two games he beat Stewart Cink in singles.

"I accept the decision and I'll get on with things now," added Bjorn. "I've had good training in getting back up from knocks."