Paul Casey has joined Ryder Cup teammates Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson in pulling out of this week's Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club near Dublin.

Following Westwood's withdrawal with the knee problem that was bothering him at last week's French Open, Casey, 10th at the US Open last month, has decided not to risk a bruised back muscle.

Not entered for next week's Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, Casey's next appearance will now be the Open Championship at Carnoustie. He is not thought to be in any danger of missing that.

Karlsson's decision to wait until Loch Lomond before playing again means only four of last year's Ryder Cup team are returning to the scene of their triumph, albeit on the Smurfit Course the other side of the River Liffey.

The quartet are Irish duo Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, Scot Colin Montgomerie and England's David Howell who, after back and wrist injuries, plays his first event since withdrawing from the Players Championship in Florida nearly two months ago.

It will be the Swindon golfer's first tournament in Europe this year.

Order of Merit leader Henrik Stenson is another absentee, his wife Emma having given birth to baby daughter Lisa yesterday.

Jose Maria Olazabal has a knee injury, while Darren Clarke is on a week off after two events in America. Sergio Garcia and the recently-married Luke Donald return to action next week as well.

What the European Open can boast is the arrival back in Europe of US Open champion Angel Cabrera.

The Argentinian has been celebrating in his home country since triumphing at Oakmont three weeks ago.