Shropshire golfing greats Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam are facing an anxious wait before learning if they will lead Europe in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

Just who will captain Europe in the biennial battle with America is being discussed at a meeting of the tournament committee of the European Tour in Abu Dhabi today.

But Thomas Bjorn, chairman of the committee, has hinted that no decision will be finalised today, with an announcement more likely at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May.

“We need to think long and hard about this matter,” said Bjorn. 

“The list of candidates is long and the longer we take the longer it will probably get. But we’re not putting ourselves in a position where we have to announce it today. 

“We want to go through all the factors that come into being Ryder Cup captain. We are going to take our time.

“So I would not be surprised if we don’t announce it today. It’s not set in stone.”

Shrewsbury-born Lyle has mounted a sustained bid to succeed Nick Faldo and has received the support of Colin Montgomerie, who also a member of the tournament committee.

Jose Maria Olazabal, Paul McGinley and Miguel Angel Jimenez have also been linked to the job, as has Oswestry-born Woosnam after he successfully guided Europe to a convincing victory at the K Club in 2006.

Woosnam was the subject of an astonishing attack by Bjorn after the Welshman named Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood as his two wild cards in that team, but that will influence the decision.

“It was not my finest hour and that will hang over me forever,” stated Bjorn. “But things move on. You get emotional at times and I regret what happened. I am sure it’s not at the forefront of Woosie’s mind.”

America, who won the Ryder Cup back at Valhalla in September, have already selected Corey Pavin as their captain.