After three Cups in a row featuring the same three Irish golfers, as things stand, not one of them is guaranteed to keep his place.
Failure to make The Open line up has, as good as, put Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley out of the running.
With only eight qualifying tournaments remaining, Padraig Harrington is threading water and languishing.
It's no wonder he is 'concerned.'

Graeme McDowell
Graeme McDowell appears to have booked his place at Valhalla.
I'm pleased about that because as a prolific birdie shooter he is the ideal match play operator; capable of 'destroying' opponents with his hot putting streaks.
Full of confidence after Loch Lomond, McDowell could even make a surprise run at keeping the Claret Jug in Ireland.
If Harrington has to rely on being a pick, he won't be cheered by the knowledge that Justin Rose is a 'certainty' to get the nod from the captain if he fails to beat the cut off.
That could leave Harrington, Montgomerie, Casey, Poulter and Donald all scrambling for the one remaining place.
Side by side, with the very public race for team places, a secret battle behind the scenes for the selection of the 2010 captain is also underway.

Ryder Cup captains
How Ryder Cup captains are chosen is slightly mysterious but some of the required qualifications are: past playing performances in the Ryder Cup, an ability to get along with fellow players and officials and a proven ability as a 'media manager.'
The selection is made by the European Tour tournament committee, a body of 15 men of whom nine have played in the matches and four of whom have been a vice-captain or captain's assistant.
Collectively, this is a committee that should know what it is looking for.
Which is just as well, given how much is at stake.
It often goes unmentioned, but skippering Europe's finest in golf's most high-profile event outside of the majors can be highly lucrative.
In my view, the best man for the job in 2010 would be Paul McGinley or José Maria Olazábal. 'Ollie' is acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic for being a ferocious competitor and somebody with the highest integrity and sportsmanship. Unfortunately, because he has largely plied his trade on the USPGA Tour, he has 'issues' with European Tour officialdom that may prove costly. McGinley's reputation as a team player and for 'intelligence' is well recognized.
The Welsh may think it logical that Ian Woosnam, the winning 2006 captain, should be given another 'go.' That's unlikely as the number of candidates far outstrips the number of job opportunities.
Sandy Lyle, the only member of Europe's Big Five from the 1980s who hasn't held the post, has made his interest known. The former British Open and US Masters champion would have popular support, but a lack of sufficient backing from the media and selection committee will likely see Lyle passed over again.

Colin Montgomerie
Colin Montgomerie is the perfect age (47 in 2010) and is backed by the combined might of IMG's publicity machine and various close pals in the European Tour's hierarchy.
Monty is the ultimate establishment figure, but there is a skeleton in his locker that has the potential to pop out and haunt him at any moment.
Ever since an extremely dubious and highly-publicised ball replacement took place in the 2005 Indonesian Open, there have been a few fellow players out 'to get Monty.'
There and then, the eight-time Order of Merit winner lost the respect of some of his peers forever.
It must be alarming for Monty that two of his 'sworn enemies and biggest critics' are to be found sitting beside him on the selection committee.
If Monty were to let it be known that he is prepared to wait until the matches go to Gleneagles in Scotland in 2014, he might avoid the embarrassment of his 'alleged indiscretion' coming up for a forensic discussion again.
People can have long or short memories as it suits them, but the European Tour Hierarchy would not want to find itself explaining for the umpteenth time what exactly happened in Indonesia and why such a marvelous Ryder Cup stalwart as Monty was being denied the captaincy.
That would be very tricky territory. No wonder it will all take place in secret behind closed doors.
During Saturday's BBC telecast of The Open, Shane O'Donoghue of RTE will present a cameo on Irish golf legend, James Bruen.
I understand that the film footage is as unique as was Bruen's famous loopy swing and the commentary is fascinating. Don't miss it!

Words of the Wise
If you don't want to be criticized, you should say nothing, do nothing and be nothing - Jack Nicklaus