Oliver Wilson played only two matches in his Ryder Cup debut, but the event was still so emotional and so mentally draining that he pulled out of this week's Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry.

His decision leaves Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell as the only two members of Nick Faldo's side in the $3.5 million tournament. Westwood is the defending champion.

"It's a big decision because it's my home tournament and I know quite a few people who were going to come and watch me," said Mansfield-born Wilson. "But I've made a few mistakes this year playing when I wasn't ready to play and I don't think I can give it 100 percent this week.

"Yes, it was only two matches I played, but they were 14-hour days and I'm still reliving it. The week was everything I thought it would be and more," he added. "I'm worn out, it's been hard to switch off and so I don't think it's right to play. I can't afford to go and not play well.

"This way I can rest and prepare for the Dunhill Links (Championship) in Scotland next week," he explained. "My main goal now is to qualify for the Masters next April and one big week can get me there through the world's top 50 at the end of the year."

Wilson, currently ranked 48th, went to college in Augusta and with an American girlfriend describes it as his second home.

"The Ryder Cup was the thing I most wanted to achieve this year and I did it. The Masters is the next thing," he said. "It's massive for me."

Still, to win his first professional title -- that made him unique on a European Ryder Cup team -- Wilson rates Valhalla "easily the greatest experience of my life.

"I can't really put it into words how special it was," he said. "That sounds weird because we lost and we were all devastated about that, but it was such an incredible stage to perform on and there were so many highlights.

"It's made me hungry for the next one already. It seems so long away, but I definitely want to be at Celtic Manor (for the 2010 Ryder Cup) and I want to experience what it's like being on a winning side," he added. "I don't think there's anyone to blame for the defeat. We were out-played and out-putted."

Faldo sat out Wilson, his 10th and last automatic qualifier and lowest-ranked player, on the opening day, but his introduction into the match was dramatic.

Four down to Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim in the Saturday morning foursomes, he and Henrik Stenson stormed back to win 2 and 1, a victory clinched with his 28-foot birdie putt on the 17th.

Wilson watched a rerun of that last night -- and also finally saw colorful singles opponent Boo Weekley riding his golf club as though it were a horse coming off the first tee.

"He's a top lad and during the round we talked about the fact that just a few years ago we played a practice round together on the Nationwide Tour (the second-tier circuit in the States)," he said. "I think it was my second professional tournament. He remembered when I mentioned it and it's amazing that I was watching Ryder Cups then and here I was playing in one.

"The first tee on Saturday was incredible. It's a shame it's not like that every week," he said. "That didn't come as a surprise as me because I'd built it up in my head.

"The biggest thing to take me by surprise was off the course in the team room," he explained. "You're pulling for the same thing and you become very close. It's very special."

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