SWEDEN'S Jesper Parnevik will not be eligible for an automatic place in September's Ryder Cup after declining to rejoin the European Tour.

Ken Schofield, European Tour executive director, said that Parnevik's decision to compete solely on the US Tour restricted his chances of making the European team for the Cup in Valderrama.

Schofield said the Swedish player's only chance rested with Ryder Cup captain Seve Ballesteros who could issue two wild card places.

"The reality now is that the only way Jesper will get into the Ryder Cup team is by way of one of the two wild cards. And they are at Seve's behest," said Schofield, speaking at the Cannes Open.

Parnevik, 32, was runner up at the 1994 British Open and is currently fourth on the US money winners list.