The 49-year-old Scot guided Europe to a famous victory over the United States at The Belfry and did not feel he was able to prepare properly for the latest stop on the European Tour.

"I have been carried along on a tide of emotion since Sunday night and feel physically and emotionally drained by the euphoria of the Ryder Cup victory," he said in a statement sent to the tournament organisers on Wednesday.

"I also have a problem with my neck which is causing some discomfort and, in the circumstances, I don't feel fully prepared to play this week."

Meanwhile, Open champion Ernie Els may also make an exit, if his wife goes into labour with his second child in the next five days.

"My wife (Liezl) is heavily pregnant at the moment," the big South African told a news conference on Wednesday.

"The date is next week and hopefully she hangs on this week because, if she doesn't, I'll be out of here.

"I want to be there for the birth, obviously, but I know she'll hang on."

Els, pushed into second place last year by Paul Lawrie's dramatic 40-foot putt from the Valley of Sin in front of St Andrews's 18th green, will partner his father Neels in the pro-am competition.