GOLF/BRITISH OPEN QUALIFYING: Paul McGinley has received a late call-up into today's qualifier at his home course Sunningdale – thanks to fellow Dubliner Peter Lawrie.
McGinley’s world ranking of 551st at the close of entries had failed to earn him a place in a 96-strong field chasing 10 spots at Sandwich next month.
But former world number one Vijay Singh withdrew after making the halfway cut at the Memorial tournament in Ohio and Lawrie then pulled out after his wife Philippa gave birth to their fourth child – and first son – on Friday night.
The biggest name taking part is Colin Montgomerie, desperate to make it 22 Open appearances in a row.
But nobody has more reason for wanting to play at Royal St George’s than Thomas Bjorn.
The Open returns there for the first time since 2003 when the Dane stood on the 15th tee three strokes clear of the field and with a first major title in his sights.
In a collapse for which he will always be remembered, however, Bjorn followed a bogey with a double bogey – he was in a greenside bunker and needed three attempts to get out – and then another bogey at the 17th.
A par on the last left American Ben Curtis, playing the first major of his life, as the surprise winner and Bjorn in shock.
Following Singh’s withdrawal, reigning Qatar Masters champion Bjorn is the highest-ranked player in the field.
WOMEN'S EUROPEAN TOUR:Melissa Reid sank four birdies in her final round of 70 to claim victory in the Deloitte Dutch Open by a single shot.
The Englishwoman began the day on one under, and coped well with the cool conditions in Vlaardingen to finish on 213, three under overall. Caroline Afonso, Caroline Hedwall and overnight leader Holly Aitchison finished tied for second.
Ireland’s Rebecca Codd finished with a two-under par 70 for a 221 total.
SENIORS TOUR:Peter Fowler ended a two year wait for a maiden European Senior Tour title with a three-stroke victory in the ISPS Handa Senior Masters at Stapleford Park in Melton Mowbray in England.
The Australian, 52 on Thursday, shot a 70 to finish on 10 under par 209, three ahead of Scotland’s Andrew Oldcorn.
A disappointing final round 77 left Ireland’s Des Smyth in a share of sixth place, on one-under par 218.
