Could Paul Casey still be picked for Europe?

Perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to fill out our mock pairings for next month's Ryder Cup.

As the Guardian's Lawrence Donegan reports, the outside chance still exists an injured Lee Westwood won't be healthy enough to play in Wales, which would open the door for Colin Montgomerie to make another captain's selection.

The rules dictate Montgomerie would normally have to go with the next eligible player on the points list. But since that player, Edoardo Molinari, was already one of Montgomerie's picks, the European captain would then be granted another wildcard selection. Presumably, at that point Montgomerie would have to go with Paul Casey, who was bypassed as a pick, but who has moved to seventh in the world after another close call last weekend at the BMW Championship.

Of course, Westwood has been steadfast that he is planning on being at Celtic Manor. But as European vice captain Paul McGinley told Donegan, "It's going to be an unknown factor until Lee turns up that week and we see how he feels, having not competed since the Open."

__Update:__Fear not, Westwood's representatives say. According to a report by BBC Sport Tuesday morning, Westwood's recovery from a leg injury is "ahead of schedule" and he will be fit to play in the Ryder Cup.

*-- Sam Weinman *