EUROPEAN TOUR JOHNNIE WALKER CHAMPIONSHIP:THE SELECTION of Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup team has been subject to heightened security, it emerged yesterday, with the European Tour fearful of details leaking out before the official announcement and some of the country's leading bookmakers taking steps to avoid a betting coup by "unscrupulous insiders".

Anyone who might have advance knowledge of the three players chosen to receive a coveted wild-card has been warned against the risks of passing on such information, inadvertently or otherwise, to people outside the charmed circle.

Montgomerie will announce his team at Gleneagles on Sunday, an hour after the end of the Johnnie Walker Championship.

“We are aware of this issue (of betting on the team make-up). Everyone involved with team selection is on their guard, and that’s goes all the way up to the top,” a European Tour source said.

In 2006, Ian Woosnam defended himself against accusations of mishandling the selection of his wild-card picks, saying: “A lot of money had been bet on who I’d select, so I had to keep quiet.”

Meanwhile, tour chief executive George O’Grady said last year he had contacted bookmakers after it was claimed Montgomerie’s surprise selection as Europe’s captain for the 2010 Ryder Cup had leaked out and that someone had made a killing at the bookies.

“Any rumour that in any way tarnishes golf’s unique reputation concerns everyone from the tour,” O’Grady said, adding that the sums bet on Montgomerie’s selection were small.

“We are concerned to make sure that nothing like that ever has a chance of happening again, because the committee will be appalled that someone has ever, inadvertently perhaps, leaked it. We will take great care.”

Tour officials declined to comment yesterday on any gambling-related issues, although it is difficult to believe anything they might say would assuage the concerns of the bookmakers as they dabble in the muddy waters of Ryder Cup team selection.

Indeed Ladbrokes said last night it would not be taking bets on Europe’s wild-card picks.

“We don’t want to leave ourselves in a position whereby we can have our pants pulled down by potentially unscrupulous ‘insiders’ chasing a quick buck,” a spokesman for the company said.

“There is always the possibility that some people will have inside info and that is unfair on the wider betting public, whom we prefer to cater to. It’s about perception, ultimately.”

The online betting exchange Betfair said it operates a market on the make-up of the team but it will be suspended when the final putt is holed at Gleneagles – after which, it is assumed, those who have, or who have not, made the team will be told the news.

“If, for some reason, the team is already known or we believe it has become known, we will suspend at the time,” a spokesman said.

As for the identity of those who might find favour with the captain, most of the speculation, and most of the money on the exchanges, remained focused firmly on Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Pádraig Harrington, all four of whom are contesting The Barclays event in the US.

Of those contenders who teed off in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles yesterday, Simon Dyson boosted his chances with an opening 68 to leave himself just two shots behind the leader, England’s Richard Finch.

Italy’s Edoardo Molinari, another strong contender for a captain’s pick, finished two shots further back with his 70.

One selection issue was cleared up when Ross McGowan withdrew after a 77, thereby ending his already slim chance of playing his way on to the team. The Englishman is suffering the effects of a pinched nerve in a shoulder, guaranteeing that Francesco Molinari will play at Celtic Manor.

McGowan withdrew after a round that saw him play through the pain barrier, even squatting down after his tee-shot – to 15 feet – at the short 17th.

He had required a top-two finish to have any chance and commented: “Unfortunately I won’t be able to make the team now, but I’ve got a few years left in me, so hopefully I’ll make it in a couple of years’ time.

“I’m pretty gutted. I had a great opportunity to make the team after having such a good finish to last year.”

Best of the Irish yesterday was, notably, one of Montgomerie’s vice-captains for Celtic Manor, Paul McGinley.

The Dubliner, who holed the winning putt in 2002 at the Belfry, shot a four-under 68 for a share of seventh.

It was otherwise a poor day for the Irish challenge.

Simon Thornton did sign for a one-under 71, but Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie and Shane Lowry will need a solid second round to make the cut after 72s left them tied for 70th.

Gary Murphy shot a 73.