Yes, Murphy has opted not to play
Matchup plays (1.5 units):
Markus Brier to beat Robert Coles -132 @
Five Dimes
Opposing Coles who has played very well on the European Challenge Tour recently but has consistently struggled on the main Tour. He has played on the main Tour ten times this season and missed the cut six times with a best finish of 25th (Madeira Island Open). Brier has been finishing well up the leaderboard when he has been making cuts and can boast a very good record on Spanish courses. He was 2nd in the Open de Espana in 2000, 5th in the Open de Madrid in 2001 and 10th in the Canarias Open de Espana earlier this year. Another top-20 finish beckons.
Markus Brier to beat Adam Mednick -111 @
BetandWin
Straightforward to oppose Mednick who has missed five of his last seven cuts and has made only one cut in three Spanish events on this Tour. He does not have to worry about his Tour card for next year because of his win in the 2002 North West of Ireland Open, but he would be really struggling otherwise as he currently ranks 151st in the Volvo Order of Merit. His poor season looks unlikely to be saved this week.
Maarten Lafeber to beat Jose Maria Olazabal -138 @
Bet365
No worries about Tour cards in this match. For all that Ollie has an impressive record on Spanish soil, he has not managed to improve on his 10th place finish in the 2003 Canarias Open de Espana in the last six months. He has even missed the cuts in two of his last three European Tour starts. No such form concerns for Lafeber who has finished 4th and 1st in his last two events and has made the cut in each of his last ten starts.
(also available at SIA and Paddy Power)