British Open the latest target in satelite war

THE British Open could be the next big sporting event to move to satellite television.

A five-year contract worth £25 million is reported to have been offered by BSkyB, fully aware that the BBC's current deal expires after July's championship at Royal Lytham.

Michael Bonallack, secretary of the Royal and Ancient Club, said yesterday: "No decision has been made yet - we are still talking to a lot of people."

It had been thought that the Royal and Ancient might decide to keep the Open on terrestrial television because of bigger audience figures, but Bonallack stated: "We have to weigh that up against what we could do with the extra money. We could put it back into golf and help a lot of people.

"We don't particularly want to become a listed event, because that takes away our negotiating power. I'm not saying what the offers are, but we are in no hurry to make a decision."

The first entry for this summer's championship has already been filed by the man who has won the last two Opens at Lytham - new Ryder Cup captain Seve Ballesteros.

"He obviously has nothing else to do," joked Bonallack.

Ballesteros triumphed at the course in 1979 and 1988, but has not won a major since and is currently on a five-month sabbatical from the game.

Another of the early entries is Jack Nicklaus, although the three-time winner has already indicated that he is unlikely to play this year.

Fellow American John Daly will be defending the title, but Bonallack is not tipping him to hold on to the trophy.

"You have to keep the ball very straight here - there are a lot of bunkers (190 in all) and the last five holes are, I think, the hardest in Open championship golf. The hardest, in fact, of anywhere I know."

Apart from some minor changes to the course, this year's Open could see the return of "Seve's Car Park".

The most famous shot Ballesteros hit in the 1979 Open was his drive on the 16th in the final round. He ignored the fairway and hit the ball way out to the right to a parking area.

The Spaniard had worked out that it gave him an easier shot to the green, but playing partner Hale Irwin dubbed him "the car park champion". The same area could be used for overflow parking this time.

The youngest player competing in the Omen is likely to be another Spaniard. Segio Garcia (16), won the European Amateur Championship last season to gain an automatic spot at Lytham.