ASHINGTON'S Kenneth Ferrie and Hartlepool's Graeme Storm have had their fears realised after they were overlooked for the Seve Trophy wild card selection by captain Colin Montgomerie.

The North-East pair had been hoping to claim a place in Monty's team at the last moment in a bid to showcase their immense talent in front of local supporters at Wynyard Club.

But it was Ryder Cup hero Paul Casey and Frenchman Thomas Levet who have been named as the two wild cards to complete the teams for next week's tournament.

Englishman Casey was selected by Montgomerie as he finalised the Great Britain & Ireland team to defend the trophy they won two years ago in Valencia, while Gallic flair of Levet was chosen by Continental Europe captain Jos Maria Olazbal in his quest to level the series.

The two teams competing at The Wynyard Club in the Tees Valley from September 22-25 contains ten Ryder Cup players and another ten players hopeful of making The European Team at The K Club next year.

"I think these teams are evenly matched and expect another close encounter," said Ballesteros. Great Britain & Ireland currently lead Continental Europe 2-1 in the series of Seve Trophy contests after a two-point victory in Valencia in 2003.

The Great Britain & Ireland team is made up of four Englishmen, three Irishmen, two Welshmen and a Scot.

Montgomerie said: "I am looking forward to taking the lead with this talented team as we try to make it three wins in a row over Continental Europe.

"We won a hard-fought victory in Valencia two years ago and I'm determined that we hold on to the trophy we first captured at Druid's Glen in 2002.

"I feel fortunate that I can pick someone of Paul Casey's stature with Ryder Cup experience who will give the Great Britain & Ireland team opportunity to win the Seve Trophy for the third time in a row."

Olazbal said: "I have no doubt this Continental Europe team is strong enough to regain the trophy (first won at Sunningdale in 2000) and we will be competing hard to do so over all four days of the event.

"I selected Thomas Levet as my wild card pick because he is playing well and he has played in both previous Ryder Cup and Seve Trophy matches."

Montgomerie and Olazabal both had to reshuffle their packs after a number of players, who had qualified through the ranking system, opted out of playing.

Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald all told the GB & Ireland skipper they did not want to be included for the Wynyard showpiece, while Sergio Garcia and Bernhard Langer pulled out of the European team.

* Tickets for the Seve Trophy are available via the official website, www.sevetrophy2005.com.

Tickets can also be obtained by calling the hotline telephone number 0870 6021121.

Published: 13/09/2005