Thomas Bjorn has been fined by the European Tour for his "unacceptable" criticism of Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam. A day after his damning attack having been overlooked for a wild card, Bjorn issued an apology but that was not enough to prevent the Dane being fined a "substantial sum", believed to be around £10,000.

A statement from European Tour executive director George Grady read: "Thomas Bjorn is a passionate and outstanding supporter of the European Tour. Nevertheless, the European Tour will not tolerate comments such as the personal and unacceptable remarks made by Thomas on Ian Woosnam, the 2006 Ryder Cup captain."

The Tour does not reveal the size of such fines but Bjorn's is believed to double the previous record of £5,000 held by a number of players, including Ian Poulter.

Earlier in the day, Bjorn said: "Having had a day to reflect on my comments I would like to apologise for the hurtful and personal nature of my remarks to European captain Ian Woosnam.

"I realise I have made a mistake and, as such, have unreservedly apologised to Ian for my comments, which were made in the heat of the moment following the disappointment of not making it onto the European team.

"I am a passionate guy who believes that the Ryder Cup is one of the world's greatest sporting events and I was desperately disappointed not to make it into the team."

Having failed to earn an automatic place Bjorn, a member of two winning sides and an assistant to Bernhard Langer last time, was hoping for one of the two wild cards.

Woosnam, however, had decided on Darren Clarke for one of them and after long deliberation almost up to the point of the televised announcement went for Lee Westwood as his other pick.

"I realise that it is 100 per cent the captain's choice and in Lee and Darren I believe he has picked two great players," added Bjorn. "All I want now is for all the media, players and golf fans to get behind the team for the matches in Ireland and for my comments to be forgotten."

Among the things he said were that Woosnam's captaincy to this point "has been the most pathetic that I have ever seen in my life" and that while he wished all 12 players the best of luck he was hoping they won "in spite of the captain. He is certainly no friend of mine.

"He has put a lot of players through a lot of misery simply because he is incapable of doing the right thing."

Woosnam was also criticised for not communicating with a number of players in the last few weeks and months of the qualifying race.