Young Ryder hopefuls get free run

IT IS comeback time in Cannes today where English professional David Carter returns after a brain operation seven weeks ago, and Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley hope to revive their Ryder Cup fortunes after lengthy absences.

All of the European big guns are staying away from this week's challenge, which leaves the field open for those anxious to make their debut against the Americans this September.

Carter (24), from Chesterfield believes he was saved from tragedy by the prompt action of close friends and fellows professionals Iain Pyman and Roger Wessels, who found him unconscious in his hotel bedroom at the Dubai Desert Classic in February.

"But for them getting me to the doctors in time I doubt if I would be here now," said Carter as he prepared for today's opening round of the Cannes Open at the Royal Mougins club.

Carter was runner up for this title to Scotland's Raymond Russell 12 months ago, and in the process shot a career best 62 of which he can remember every detail. But things that have happened more recently are more difficult to recall, as he explained.

"I was not in any pain in hospital, but I did not know what I was doing there or what I was saying," he said. "It took me about two weeks to realise what was going on and remembering what I said to people. Even now it is not right. My long term memory is ok but not my short term memory.

For that reason, Carter is apprehensive about what will happen when he partners Russell, with whom he fought such a thrilling duel last year, and Australian lefthander Richard Green, the winner in Dubai, when he goes out for today's opening round.

"I have been hitting the ball all right on the practice ground, but the problem will be reproducing it on the course," he says. "The way I feel at the moment is that just to make the cut will be real progress."

McCinley has not played for a month, since he was 37th in the Portuguese Open in Lisbon, and has been recharging his batteries by "relaxing, practising and relaxing".

The Dub liner admits he felt the strain of his early season travels to Australia and South Africa in his quest for Ryder Cup points. "It was because of that, that I had to do it," he says.

"They say it is not compulsory to go, but it ends up being that way, because if you don't go you give your rivals too much of a start."

McGinley's schedule is now geared towards a first appearance in the US Open in June for which he is exempt because of his top IS placing last year. He is also hoping to get an invitation to the US PGA Championship in August.

First priority is to force himself into the top 20 of the Ryder Cup qualification table.

Bjorn, who was hit first by a neck muscle strain, then a throat infection, has also been out of action since Dubai where he was forced to withdraw after the first round. He spent last week practising in Florida and is eager to prove his fourth place ranking in the table.

With over 238,000 points already to his credit the Dane could make almost sure of a Ryder debut at Valderrama if he collected this week's £50,000 top prize.

So, too, could Spaniard Miguel Martin, second with 269,335, while Paul Broadhurst and French number one Jean Van de Velde are the other top 10 contenders.