KAREN Stupples’ hopes of earning an automatic place in next month’s Solheim Cup have disappeared because of illness.

The Deal golfer had to pull out of the Scandinanvian TCP in Sweden, and the Wales Ladies’ Championship of Europe, which starts on Thursday, because of a sinus problem.

Stupples needed to achieve high finishes in both events to guarantee her place in the European team to meet the USA next month, but now she will have to rely on being one of captain Catrin Nilsmark’s five wild card picks.

Karen’s father Alan said: "She’s been to the doctors and he said that she has got a sinus problem and needs a bit of a rest."

Stupples is flying back to her Florida home and will spend next week on the practice ground before returning to competition in the Safeway International at Dublin, Ohio, on August 19.