Paul McGinley, runner-up in last year's BMW Championship at Wentworth, has been forced to sit out this week's event after failing a late fitness test.

The Irish Ryder Cup star underwent surgery to remove a piece of floating bone in his left knee only last Thursday. His return was not expected to be until next week's Wales Open at the earliest and possibly not until the US Open on June 15th-18th.

The Dubliner tried nine holes of practice yesterday, but decided that it was too risky to play. His place went to England's Benn Barham, who was partnering Ryder Cup hopefuls Nick Dougherty and Niclas Fasth in the first two rounds.

"Although I had no problem hitting shots or twisting and turning, the problem came walking between shots," stated McGinley. "It's less than a week since surgery and my knee started to swell.

"I nearly made it, but I am fully confident I will be back next week. It's disappointing to miss such a marvellous tournament, but the risk was too great."

Now McGinley must wait to see if he slips down from his current seventh place in the Ryder Cup table.