Donald to miss final major as wrist injury could lead to Ryder Cup absence

Donald, a huge doubt for September's Ryder Cup, has been out of action with a wrist injury since withdrawing from the US Open during his final round on June 15.  

A statement on July 11 talked of him having 'at least the next three to four weeks' off and now comes the confirmation that the 30-year-old is not ready for a return at the final major of the year.  

European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo said last week: 'He would need a very quick recovery to get to the US PGA, but you can't come back from a wrist injury too early because it will flare up again.'

Donald: Set to miss the US PGA Championships - and possibly the Ryder Cup

Qualifying for the team ends on August 31. Donald is in 11th place on Europe's world points list, but only five players are selected off that and he is down in 43rd spot on the separate table based on Order of Merit earnings. Five more are chosen from there.

Faldo also has two wild cards to hand out at the end of next month, but admits: 'To pick a man who is injured would be a major story.'

Donald has been a member of the last two victorious sides, losing only once in seven matches and winning all his four games in partnership with Sergio Garcia.  

Open runner-up Ian Poulter, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey and Darren Clarke are also in need of a wild card as things currently stand, although with five events left a lot can change yet.  

Clarke, winner of the Asian Open in April, has received a boost to his chances with an invitation to the US PGA.  

The Northern Irishman, 33rd on the points table, qualifies for this week's World Championship thanks not to his previous victory in the event, but thanks to the wild card Ian Woosnam gave to him for the 2006 Ryder Cup.  

That entire team earns places in the 82-strong field as well as the world's top 50 and winners of designated tournaments around the world. 

There are a total of 25 Europeans competing at Akron, but as well as missing Donald the contingent is also minus Jose Maria Olazabal, who is taking another break from the game as he fights fatigue brought on it is thought by the medicine prescribed for his rheumatism.  

Europe are represented by: Casey, Daniel Chopra, Clarke, Nick Dougherty, Niclas Fasth, Richard Finch, Ross Fisher, Garcia, Soren Hansen, Padraig Harrington, David Howell, Fredrik Jacobson, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Martin Kaymer, Pablo Larrazabal, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Montgomerie, Poulter, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Steve Webster, Lee Westwood and Oliver Wilson.