Olazabal to miss Druids Glen

Only hours after his manager had entered him for the Murphy's Irish Open, Jose-Maria Olazabal became unable to play: the reigning US Masters champion broke a bone in his right hand in a fit of anger at his poor start to the US Open at Pinehurst No 2.

The incident happened in his hotel bedroom on Thursday night and caused him to withdraw yesterday before the start of the second round.

"I punched a wall in anger and frustration (at a first round of 75)," Olazabal admitted. "I was upset with myself, but obviously it was a mistake to react that way."

The 33-year-old Spaniard, who dropped four strokes over the last four holes on Thursday, went on: "I wanted to do well here, and even after the way I played, it's something I shouldn't have done. I'm now paying the price. The doctor said I would be out for three to four weeks. Fortunately it is a clean fracture."

The damage to the fifth metacarpal of his right hand means that he will miss both the Irish Open and almost certainly the British Open. Missing Carnoustie would mean forfeiting the chance of a Masters-British Open double, last achieved by Nick Faldo at St Andrews in 1990.

Olazabal had been one of the favourites for this title - not only because of his Augusta victory in April but also because the lay-out gave him more room off the tee and favoured his short-game skills.

In addition to that, he fired a 62 in Memphis on Monday to finish the St Jude Classic in fourth place.

Naturally, his injury came as a blow to the organisers of the Irish Open. "We were thrilled to be informed on Thursday that his manager, Sergio Gomez, had notified the European Tour that Jose-Maria would be at Druids Glen," said tournament official Paddy Rossi last night. "Now, this comes as a great disappointment."

John Daly's challenge for the title fell away against the background of massive gambling debts.

The controversial American, one shot off the lead after an opening 68, but back in the pack following a second round 77, has spoken of how he is still trying to pay off an estimated nine million dollars he lost between 1994 and 1996.

Daly, winner of the US PGA crown in 1991 and Open championship at St Andrews in 1995, reckons he won 42 million dollars and lost 51 million during a period when he would sometimes play five hands of blackjack at 15,000 dollars per hand for 36 hours at a time.

"I don't have the money to gamble any more. I have to make my money out here now," he commented, referring to the American golf circuit.

The recovering alcoholic recalls a couple of occasions when he had over 200,000 dollars riding on a single hand of blackjack.