OLAZABAL STRUGGLING WITH FATIGUE

Jose Maria Olazabal began the Open qualifier with a one over par 71 at Sunningdale Old on Monday - and then talked about the possibility of taking another lengthy break from golf.

Struggling badly from fatigue since returning from seven months out battling rheumatism, the double Masters champion was left needing something special from his afternoon round if he was to gain one of around 15 spots on offer.

Olazabal's last appearance was his missed cut in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth just over a month ago and he said: "I haven't played at all and can't practise much, so I'm not really expecting great things.

"Because it's the Open, it was a good reason to come, but it's basically a test for me and if I don't qualify I don't think I will be playing for four or five weeks at least."

The Spanish star, who after watching Spain's Euro 2008 triumph was up at 4.30am and first player to tee off at 6.30am, is entered for next week's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and is in the field for the Bridgestone World Championship in Ohio at the end of next month, but it now remains to be seen when he next plays.

"The doctors have taken one of my medicines away, but we have to do this gradually to see if I improve.

"It's going to take two months at least to see if my body is cured. I feel like practising, but I just get tired and can't hit balls and play 18 holes in the same day.

"But at least my lower back is not getting as tight as it did before and that's positive. I have to really look for those signs."

Ryder Cup team-mates Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley were all in today's 120-strong field playing over both the Old and New courses.

Early leader was England's Simon Wakefield, after a five-under-par 65 on the Old.

The 34-year-old, who has made it through twice in the past, had a sense it might be his day when a 15-footer on the 13th he thought he had pushed well wide bobbled, turned left and went in.

He was one ahead of Australian Matthew Zions - while on the New Course, Challenge Tour player Anthony Wall and Mark Tullo, listed as English but a Chilean international in his amateur days, led with four-under 66s.

Thomas Bjorn, so close to winning at Sandwich in 2003, had a two-under 68. But Darren Clarke, a runner-up in The Open in 1997, was out in a five-over 40 to be near the rear of the field.


Adams Admits Kranjcar Concern
OLAZABAL: NO CUP OFFER ON TABLE

IN-FORM MONTY OUTSHONE BY ROOKIE

Colin Montgomerie is back in the running for the Ryder Cup - but that was not the big news from the French Open this weekend.

Although Montgomerie's runner-up finish warranted headlines, signalling that even at 45 it would be wrong to write him off, the performance of the winner totally overshadowed everything else.

Spain's Pablo Larrazabal is his name and if you have not heard of him before then worry not - nor had Montgomerie.

Ranked 481st in the world before his stunning four-stroke victory at Le Golf National - he is now up into the top 150 - the 25-year-old from Barcelona bagged the massive Ј527,800 first prize in fairytale fashion.

The European Tour rookie did not even have a place in the event until he won a qualifier two weeks ago and his main claim to fame previously was that he caddied for his older brother Alejandro, British amateur champion in 2002, in The Open and then The Masters the following year.

Yet, with nothing better than a 15th place in his previous 16 Tour starts, he led from start to finish and left not only eight-time number one Montgomerie, but also US Open nearly man Lee Westwood trailing in his wake.

"Forgive me for not knowing the winner's name - let's just call him Pablo - but he has a great future ahead of him, the kid," said Montgomerie, whose own display was a much-needed boost to his confidence ahead of his European Open title defence at The London Club in Kent this week.

"Good luck to him. The flags were no 'gimmes' on the last four and he played them in two under. It's difficult to win out here and he has done it very well."

Larrazabal, suddenly in the Order of Merit top eight and the Ryder Cup race top 18, was simply stunned.

After drying himself off from being chucked into the lake next to the 18th green by fellow Spaniards he stated: "I promise you I don't know what I did!

"I know that today and yesterday was probably the best golf of my life. I came here just to try to make the cut and make some euros.

"In practice rounds I always play that well, but never in a tournament before. But there always has to be a first time for everything.

"Montgomerie is one of the three best players in the history of the European Tour. Lee Westwood finished third at the US Open. Right now I know that I can play like those guys."

Told he had qualified for the coming Open at Royal Birkdale via a mini-money list running for the last eight weeks, he looked gob-smacked.

"I am? That's amazing - I went there to caddie for my brother. That will be great, but no Tiger so it will be easier to win!" he joked.

"Be careful the European Team for the Ryder Cup! No, that would just be crazy - if I get in the team I'll have to cut my finger off."

Montgomerie leaps from outside the leading 40 in the Ryder Cup table to 14th.


MONTY - WOODS HEALTH MOST IMPORTANT
MONTY BACKS RYDER CUP CHANGES
Buccaneers re-sign Stevens, release Gradkowski
Dortmund against European giants

RIVALS SUFFER THE CHOP AT BUICK OPEN

Sweden's Daniel Chopra opened up a two-stroke lead after the third round of the Buick Open following a four-under-par 68.

Chopra sunk a 15-foot birdie on the 18th hole to move onto 16-under 200 overall, two clear of Dudley Hart, Woody Austin and Bubba Watson.

The 34-year-old Swede played his opening nine holes in two under and had a one-stroke lead over Hart.

Chopra then started his back nine with a birdie and closed it with another while Hart bogeyed the last to drop into a tie for second.

Chopra said: "Today I was fairly surprised that the scores did not kind of run away; being two behind and being behind Bo Van Pelt, I was pretty sure that pretty close to 20-under was going to be leading by the end of the day.

"I got up to 16 and that kept me with a two-shot lead; I don't know how. I can't explain it.

"Maybe the rain overnight softened up the fairways and the course wasn't playing as short and the greens were softer."

Two-time PGA Tour winner Chopra started the season with a win at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship, but has struggled since and has only managed a 32nd place at the Sony Open.

He added: "Everybody says it's tough to play with a lead, but we try to get a lead, and two shots is better than one, and three is better than two. So the bigger the lead you've got, the better.

"It just gives that you little bit of a cushion to allow yourself that one extra hole where maybe you should have made a birdie on that you expected to make birdie and if you don't, it gives you that extra one hole of patience.

"That's what I'm going to do out there tomorrow - practice patience all day long."

After a 70 yesterday, his worst round of the tournament, Hart was not willing to venture a guess on a winning score, but he did look forward to setting up more birdie opportunities after making four in the third round against two bogeys.

"It depends on weather; depends on wind. I'm not going to really worry about a number," said Hart, who is also searching for his third tour title and first since the 2000 Honda Classic.

"I'm just going to try to follow the shots, and I feel like my putter is working pretty well for the most part. And if I can get myself some more opportunities, I feel confident that I can make some."


Boruc In North London Tug-Of-War?
TIGER TURNS IT ROUND AFTER SLOW START
WOODS AND MEDIATE FACE PLAY-OFF

LARRAZABAL HOLDS HIS NERVE

European golf has a brand new star - smiling Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, who completed a dream victory at the French Open in Paris.

Even with former number ones Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood chasing him, the 25-year-old who five years ago was caddying for his brother in the event stormed to a four-shot win.

Larrazabal, who came through 36 holes of qualifying to make it to Le Golf National, entered the tournament 481st in the world and even described himself as "the 150th best player here".

But, leader from the moment he opened with a 65, he clinched the massive Ј527,800 first prize with a dramatic and inspired closing 67.

As a result the European Tour rookie will play his first major at next month's Open Championship, has secured a place on the circuit for the next two years and is even in the top 20 of the Ryder Cup race.

Until his win he was not even in the top 100.

Larrazabal, rated a 200-1 shot before the start, finished on 15 under par with Montgomerie, in easily his best display of the year, runner-up and Westwood, third in the US Open two weeks ago, dropping to joint fifth after going in the lake on the last.

The young Barcelona golfer joined Westwood's ball when he was thrown in by some of his compatriots - then threw his shoes in as the celebrations continued.

"I don't know how it feels - it's fantastic," he said. "I really played great golf and my putter was great all week."

It was only the 17th Tour event Larrazabal had played in his life, although his past experiences do include The Masters at Augusta - again as a caddie for his brother Alejandro, British amateur champion in 2002.

Until this achievement he was only the fourth best-known golfer in his family as both parents were internationals.

Father Gustavo made him work on a fish farm before turning professional to get an idea of what hard work is and learn the value of money. He should never have to go back to it.

His previous best finish was 15th and he had never previously come within eight strokes of the winner, but now he charges from 128th on the Order of Merit into the leading 10 and up more than 300 places on the world rankings.

Larrazabal, who played all week without a driver in his bag on the firm and bouncy course, started the final day three ahead and remained firmly in the driving seat with three birdies in his first five.

A double-bogey seven on the ninth cut his advantage from five to two, but he promptly birdied the next two and after taking six down the long 14th ignored the dangers of the water to birdie the next two again.

"I lost my concentration a little bit on nine, but I told myself 'You're still leading, try to concentrate again'. That I did," he said.

Ignacio Garrido, who lent the new champion a pair of shoes after he emerged from the lake, commented: "I didn't know he was that good - I don't think anybody knew he was that good.

"It's unbelievable, amazing."

Montgomerie, giving his bid to secure his Ryder Cup place a huge boost with a Ј351,867 cheque, took second from Dane Soren Hansen with a 40-foot closing birdie putt.

"That's a big step in the right direction," said the Scot, 45 last Monday.

"Forgive me for not knowing the winner's name, but he has a great future ahead of him.

"Good luck to him. The flags were no gimmees on the last four and he played them in two under. It's difficult to win out here and he has done it very well."

Westwood missed a succession of crucial putts and commented: "After the first five holes just about everything I tried turned to rubbish.

"What can you do? It was one of those weeks where nothing went right."

Two Open spots were up for grabs off a mini-money list running for the past eight weeks and Larrazabal joins Australian Scott Strange, winner of the Wales Open, in claiming those.

Larrazabal continues a sequence of shock winners of the event started by Malcolm Mackenzie in 2002. Since then Phil Golding, Jean-Francois Remesy (twice), John Bickerton and Graeme Storm have put their names on the trophy, but none was as big a surprise as this.

The Spaniard is the first qualifier to win a European Tour event since Michael Campbell at the 2005 US Open.

Collated final round scores & totals in the European Tour Open de France ALSTOM, Le Golf National, Paris, France

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 71):

269 Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 65 70 67 67

273 Colin Montgomerie 69 68 68 68

274 Soren Hansen (Den) 69 69 67 69

276 Richard Green (Aus) 73 71 65 67

277 Markus Brier (Aut) 70 71 66 70, Lee Westwood 69 68 69 71

279 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 70 69 75 65, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 73 70 66 70, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 72 71 66 70, John Bickerton 72 69 68 70, Paul McGinley 71 73 70 65, Oliver Fisher 66 73 69 71

280 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 72 71 68 69, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 68 75 69 68, Graeme McDowell 69 73 67 71, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 69 71 69 71, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 68 69 73 70, Danny Willett 74 70 67 69, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 67 70 74 69, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 71 72 67 70

281 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 74 70 69, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 75 63 76 67, Jamie Donaldson 68 73 72 68, Miles Tunnicliff 68 71 71 71, Graeme Storm 68 70 72 71

282 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 68 73 71 70, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 70 73 67 72, David Lynn 70 65 71 76, Peter Lawrie 66 71 74 71

283 Scott Barr (Aus) 75 69 68 71, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 71 69 70 73, Ian Poulter 72 72 71 68, David Frost (Rsa) 69 74 70 70, Paul Broadhurst 69 69 72 73, Thomas Levet (Fra) 75 69 69 70

284 Carl Suneson (Spa) 72 67 76 69, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 68 72 73 71, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 73 72 69

285 Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 74 70 73 68, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 70 72 71 72, Simon Dyson 70 70 72 73

286 Peter Hanson (Swe) 71 73 74 68, Tom Whitehouse 71 70 69 76, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 67 73 73

287 Martin Wiegele (Aut) 68 76 69 74, Steve Webster 73 68 69 77, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 68 73 72 74

288 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 71 71 75 71, Paul Lawrie 73 71 70 74, Phillip Archer 69 74 74 71, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa) 74 69 77 68, Barry Lane 68 76 71 73

289 Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 71 71 74 73, Rick Kulacz (Aus) 72 71 70 76, Jean Van de velde (Fra) 71 72 70 76, Nick Dougherty 71 71 74 73, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 72 72 70 75, Gregory Havret (Fra) 73 70 70 76, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 71 73 70 75

290 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 74 69 74 73, Andrew McLardy (Rsa) 72 71 72 75

291 Andrew Coltart 68 76 73 74

292 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 69 75 75 73

293 Ross Fisher 73 71 73 76, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 70 74 70 79

294 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 72 71 75 76, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 70 74 81 69

296 Sebastien Delagrange (Fra) 72 72 77 75


WESTWOOD MAINTAINS FORM
MONTY GLAD TO BE BACK
Agent - Ade open to Milan move

CREAMER RISES TO THE TOP

Paula Creamer and Helen Alfredsson were tied for the lead halfway through the third round at the US Women's Open.

American Creamer, who started the day two shots off the pace, surged to the front with three birdies in a bogey-free front nine in strong winds at Interlachen Country Club.

Swede Alfredsson picked up two strokes to join Creamer at seven-under, one stroke ahead of American Stacy Lewis and Korean Inbee Park.

Angela Park, who had the halfway lead, fell two strokes back after a tardy front nine that included seven pars and two bogeys.

Twelve players were within four shots of the lead with Annika Sorenstam, in her final Open, five behind after 15 holes, although world number one Lorena Ochoa was out of the running at four over after 15.

Latest second-round scores (USA unless stated, par 73):

(Second round has been suspended due to thunderstorms & darkness, the second round will resume Saturday morning at 7am Central Time).

140 Angela Park 73 67

141 Minea Blomqvist (Fin) 72 69, In-Bee Park (Kor) 72 69, Helen Alfredsson (Swe) 70 71

142 Paula Creamer 70 72, Cristie Kerr 72 70, Candie Kung (Tai) 72 70, Jeong Jang (Kor) 73 69

143 Ji-Yai Shin (Kor) 69 74, Teresa Lu (Tai) 71 72, Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 72 71, Maria Jose Uribe (Col) 69 74, Stacy Lewis 73 70

144 Mi-Hyun Kim (Kor) 72 72, In Kyung Kim (Kor) 71 73, Song-Hee Kim (Kor) 68 76, Nicole Castrale 74 70, Katherine Hull (Aus) 72 72

145 Ya-Ni Tseng (Kor) 71 74, Jimin Kang (Kor) 73 72, Young Kim (Kor) 74 71, Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 75 70, Hwa seon Lee (Kor) 75 70, Pat Hurst 67 78

146 Jennifer Rosales (Phi) 74 72, Sherri Turner 76 70, Shi Hyun Ahn (Kor) 73 73, Sakura Yokomine (Jpn) 71 75, Brittany Lang 71 75

147 Giulia Sergas (Ita) 73 74, Stacy Prammanasudh 75 72, Sydnee Michaels 71 76, Karen Stupples (Eng) 74 73, Catriona Matthew (Sco) 70 77, Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 73 74, Brittany Lincicome 74 73, Na Ri Kim (Kor) 76 71, Na Yeon Choi (Kor) 76 71, Sun Ju Ahn (Kor) 76 71, Laura Diaz 77 70, Meg Mallon 75 72, Alison Walshe 73 74

148 Eun Hee Ji (Kor) 76 72, Morgan Pressel 74 74, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 77 71

149 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 70 79, Paola Moreno 73 76, Meena Lee (Kor) 75 74, Jane Park 78 71, Angela Stanford 76 73, Christina Kim 73 76, Janice Moodie (Sco) 78 71

150 Il Mi Chung (Kor) 76 74, Na On Min (Jpn) 77 73, Karrie Webb (Aus) 75 75, Hee-Won Han (Kor) 74 76, Michele Redman 74 76, Lindsey Wright (Aus) 78 72, Karin Sjodin (Swe) 74 76, Sherri Steinhauer 75 75, Marcy Hart 78 72, Amanda Blumenherst 72 78

151 Laura Davies (Eng) 70 81, Jenny Shin 73 78, Carin Koch (Swe) 76 75, Moira Dunn 74 77, Mina Harigae 72 79

152 Grace Park (Kor) 75 77, Cydney Clanton 77 75, Heather Young 76 76, Hilary Lunke 74 78, Kelli Kuehne 76 76, Carri Wood 76 76, Alexis Thompson 75 77

153 Laurie Brower 81 72, Ha Na Jang 73 80, Natalie Gulbis 73 80, Martha Nause 78 75, Anna Grzebien 76 77, Diana D'Alessio 79 74

154 Candy Hannemann 78 76, Jeanne Cho-Hunicke 81 73, Jill McGill 78 76, Se Ri Pak (Kor) 76 78, Amy Hung (Tha) 77 77, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 77 77, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 81 73

155 Jennifer Song 79 76, Joanne Lee 78 77, Juli Inkster 74 81, Heather Daly-Donofrio 74 81, Leah Marie Wigger 74 81, Jennie Lee 74 81, Shanshan Feng (Chn) 77 78

156 Chieko Amanuma (Jpn) 80 76, Eva Dahllof (Swe) 77 79, Birdie Kim (Kor) 79 77, Liselotte Neumann (Swe) 78 78

157 Jean Reynolds 75 82, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (Fra) 77 80, Alena Sharp 77 80

158 Kristen Park 80 78, Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 79 79, Jamie Fischer 80 78, Meaghan Francella 79 79, Silvia Cavalleri (Ita) 76 82, Courtney Ellenbogen 79 79, Sin Ham 78 80

159 Bettina Hauert (Ger) 79 80, Rachel Bailey (Eng) 80 79, Kristen Samp 79 80

160 Virada Nirapathpongporn (Tha) 81 79, Kyeong Eun Bae (Kor) 79 81, Kathleen Ekey 80 80

162 Lynn Valentine 80 82

163 Tara Goedeken 80 83

164 Angela Oh 87 77

165 Lauren Doughtie 78 87

166 Sarah Almond 87 79

167 Vanessa Brockett 87 80


Walk in the park for VfB
MORGAN SEEKING FIRST TOUR WIN

WESTWOOD MAINTAINS FORM

Lee Westwood is looking good to make instant amends this weekend for his US Open near-miss - and to give himself the perfect boost ahead of The Open.

But look who is alongside him halfway through the French Open at Le Golf National near Paris. None other than Colin Montgomerie.

Six months into a year which has seen him fall out of the world's top 100 for the first time since 1990, Montgomerie birdied the final two holes of his second round to join Westwood on five under par, just two behind Spanish rookie Pablo Larrazabal.

Montgomerie hit a five-iron to four feet, then an eight-iron over water to seven feet to finish in real style and when asked about his chances of a 32nd European Tour win on Sunday said: "Very good. If I can be patient I have a chance.

"I had 16 holes of utter, utter frustration and I hate to say the birdies were deserved, but the way I played that was the minimum I deserved.

"It was as good as I can play tee-to-green. It was back to the way I won tournaments."

Westwood has also been easy to spot on the opening two days. He was the another standing on the fairway while others almost literally disappeared into the hay.

"I don't think I've seen rough as bad as this since Carnoustie in 1999 - it's chest-high at points," said the former European number one.

Westwood could be back at the top of the Order of Merit on Sunday night - and would have been if he had triumphed at Torrey Pines two weeks ago rather than finishing one behind Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate.

"I'm constantly being told 'well played' this week, but while that's great and nice to hear sometimes you want to forget about and concentrate on the French Open.

"It looks like a great result to everyone else (it was his best major), but at the same time it wasn't a win, so it is always in the back of your mind that you didn't win it."

Westwood, in fact, has yet to lift a trophy this year, but his confidence is sky-high and it went up another notch with his bogey-free second round.

"I've managed to stay well away from the rough and that's the key around here. I'm all for long rough, but there are a couple of places where it is only four yards off the fairway.

"I think that's a bit severe, but with the course firm and bouncy it's almost like playing a links and great practice for The Open."

Qualifier Larrazabal, one in front after his opening 65 and in the first group out at 7.30am, stretched his lead to four before bogeying the 16th and 17th for a 70.

"They are the big stars and I am the rookie," said the world number 481. "To know that I can play like them is great for me, very positive."

Last year's US Open champion Angel Cabrera was joint leader until he lost a ball on the 17th and double-bogeyed, while Larrazabal's fellow countryman Ignacio Garrido moved alongside him on seven under as well before bogeying the 15th late in the day.

Dubliner Peter Lawrie was alongside Westwood, Montgomerie and Cabrera in the clubhouse, while England's David Lynn was on the same mark with four still to play.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and Thai Chapchai Nirat both had holes-in-one, but because Derksen's came at the 175-yard 16th rather than 210-yard second he was the one to win a BMW car. He still missed the cut, however.


SMALL ADVANCE FOR WESTWOOD
Rio Praises Colleague Brown

MONTY GLAD TO BE BACK

Four days after his 45th birthday, Colin Montgomerie finally breathed new life into his career in Paris today.

Montgomerie, six months into a year that has seen him fall out of the world's top 100 for the first time since 1990, birdied the final two holes of his second round of the French Open at Le Golf National to join Lee Westwood in third place - two shots behind England's David Lynn and Spanish rookie Pablo Larrazabal.

The eight-time European number one hit a five-iron to four feet, then an eight-iron over water to seven feet to finish in real style and when asked if he felt good about the weekend, he replied: "Very good.

"If I can be patient and hole a fair share then I have a chance.

"I had 16 holes of utter, utter frustration and I hate to say the birdies were deserved, but the way I played that was the very minimum I deserved.

"That was as good as I can play from tee to green. I've hit 33 greens in regulation out of 36 round here, which is back to the way that I used to play and win tournaments - through lack of mistakes.

"It wasn't the amount of putts that I holed, it was the amount of mistakes I didn't make. That's good, that's the way that I like to play golf."

Westwood, meanwhile, is looking good to make instant amends for his US Open near-miss - and to give himself the perfect boost ahead of The Open.

Like Montgomerie, Westwood has also been easy to spot on the opening two days. He was another standing on the fairway while others almost literally disappeared into the hay.

"I don't think I've seen rough as bad as this since Carnoustie in 1999 - it's chest-high at points," said the man who eight years ago ended the Scot's long reign in Europe.

Westwood could be back at the top of the Order of Merit on Sunday night - and would have been if he had triumphed at Torrey Pines two weeks ago rather than finishing one behind Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate.

"I'm constantly being told 'well played' this week, but while that's great and nice to hear sometimes you want to forget about (the US Open) and concentrate on the French Open," he said.

"It looks like a great result to everyone else (it was his best major), but at the same time it wasn't a win, so it is always in the back of your mind that you didn't win it."

Westwood, in fact, has yet to lift a trophy this year, but his confidence is sky-high and it went up another notch with his bogey-free 68.

"I've managed to stay well away from the rough and that's the key around here," he added. "I'm all for long rough, but there are a couple of places where it is only four yards off the fairway.

"I think that's a bit severe, but with the course firm and bouncy it's almost like playing a links and great practice for The Open."

Qualifier Larrazabal, one in front after his opening 65, was in the first group out at 7.30am, while Lynn did not finish until nearly 12 hours later and made it a tie at the top by sinking a bunker shot at the last for a superb 65.

"I was so frustrated when I finished with a seven on the ninth yesterday," said the Stoke golfer, whose only Tour win was in Holland four years ago. "But I knew I was playing well and the wind died the last few holes."

World number 481 Larrazabal commented: "They are the big stars and I am the rookie. To know that I can play like them is great for me, very positive."

Last year's US Open champion Angel Cabrera and Spaniard Ignacio Garrido joined Larrazabal, but both double-bogeyed the 17th to fall two back.

They are alongside not only Westwood and Montgomerie, but also Dubliner Peter Lawrie, who added a 71 to his initial 66.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and Thai Chapchai Nirat both had holes-in-one, but because Derksen's came at the 175-yard 16th rather than 210-yard second he was the one to win a BMW car. They both missed the cut, however.

So did Darren Clarke, by a single shot. His frustration boiled over when he threw a club off the seventh tee.

"First time, I think, I have ever done that in my pro career," he said. "It was just one of those things, but I would berate my son if he did it."

As a result of his early exit, Clarke will be at the 36-hole Open qualifying at Sunningdale on Monday.


MONTY BACKS RYDER CUP CHANGES
MONTY - WOODS HEALTH MOST IMPORTANT
“I don’t feel the fear!”
Bilic Has No Complaints

WORLD MATCH PLAY SET FOR CHANGE

The World Match Play Championship, not being staged this year for the first time since it began in 1964, will start a new era next season with a move from Wentworth to Spain and a new round-robin format.

The event, which lost sponsors HSBC after Ernie Els captured a record seventh title last October, is to be held at the Finca Cortesin course near Marbella.

Volvo will be the new backers, prize money will be around Ј2.5million and the field of 16 will be split into four groups.

Places will be offered to defending champion Els, the leading world-ranked player from each of Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australasia and the Africa/Middle East region, four more from the world rankings, four from the European Tour Order of Merit and finally next year's Volvo China Open champion.

The groups of four will play each other on the first two days over 18 holes, with the group winners progressing to the 36-hole semi-finals on the Saturday.

First prize will be approximately Ј585,000 - under HSBC it became a world record Ј1million - with Ј350,000 for the runner-up down to Ј93,000 for those who finish bottom of their groups.

The season-ending Volvo Masters has been held in southern Spain every year 1988, but the Swedish car company will stage that for the last time at Valderrama this October before switching their attentions to the Match Play.

The new season-ending event from next year will be the Dubai World Championship and the Order of Merit is being re-named the Race To Dubai.

Following the news that Volvo have signed a initial three-year deal, Els said: "The World Match Play Championship has meant a huge amount to me and I am delighted to hear the event is going to continue to grow even further in stature in the future."

Sergio Garcia added: "It is fantastic that such a prestigious event as the World Match Play has chosen to move to a Spanish venue."

George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, said: "Both Volvo and the World Match Play Championship have a superb golfing pedigree, which makes them ideal partners.

"Volvo have title sponsored no fewer than 66 tournaments on the European Tour International Schedule and the World Match Play Championship has a rich tradition going back to 1964.

"We are delighted that the Championship will continue to be a celebration to the memory of its founder, Mark McCormack, and also excited by the new format."

The International Management Group, promoters of the event since its birth, still hope to fill the gap on this year's schedule caused by the absence of the Match Play.


EURO TOUR COULD TAKE THE MICK
MONTY - WOODS HEALTH MOST IMPORTANT
Borussia without Kehl

GRIEVING STRANGE BACK ON TOUR

Scott Strange, the Australian who won the Wales Open so impressively four weeks ago, is back on the European Tour this week but still grieving over his sister losing her battle with cancer.

The 31-year-old managed to see her one last time after flying back to Perth following his victory at Celtic Manor.

He had said, without elaborating, after his win: "This will mean the world to my family and it will put a smile on a special person's face."

In his first round back, Strange, in position to seal an Open Championship debut this weekend, scored a level-par 71 at the French Open in Paris.


KARLSSON RUES STRANGE FORM
“We’ve made a host of new friends”

WESTWOOD PLAYS DOWN PRESSURE

Lee Westwood is determined not to pile pressure on himself as he begins his countdown to The Open this week.

Beaten by a single shot in the US Open two weeks ago, a lot will now be expected of the former European number one at Royal Birkdale - especially with Tiger Woods out of the way.

But on the eve of the French Open at Le Golf National near Paris Westwood said: "I went to the US Open without any expectations and I think that's the way I need to approach them.

"I had hardly hit any balls going into it and I wasn't feeling great.

"I came very close and didn't feel that I lost it - I think Tiger and Rocco (Mediate) played very well to finish one ahead of me."

One behind the world number one entering the final day, Westwood turned that into a one-stroke lead with nine holes left.

But the pair both came to the last needing a birdie to tie and Woods was the one to get it.

The 35-year-old from Worksop was able to reflect, though, on his best-ever finish in a major, a week where his re-emergence as a player of world class was there for all to see - and being paired with Woods did not seem to affect him as much as it has others.

"I think that's because I have been in that situation before," he added. "I have played with Tiger so many times in Ryder Cups and majors and World Golf Championships, so I know what to expect.

"It's not so much playing with Tiger, it's everything that goes on around. The amount of people outside the ropes and everyone moving around it, it can be tough, but you do get used to it."

Before he left San Diego Westwood stated: "I think I've proved to myself and a few others that there is a major championship in me," but on that he now reflects: "I think until you win one there is going to be doubt.

"My all-round game from tee to green pleased me most. I actually didn't have a great putting week, but if I can get that right then I'll have an even better chance."

Westwood will miss next week's European Open at The London Club in Kent, but will be at the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond before turning his full attention to Birkdale.

"I'm still learning. It all depends on the different majors - I've played well in them playing for the three weeks leading up to them and I have played well in them having not hit a ball for a fortnight.

"You have to get into the right frame of mind or zone I suppose."

Two more of England's top players, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter, had a very different time at Torrey Pines.

Both pulled out with wrist injuries, but while Donald has now missed his next two events as well Poulter is back in action this week.

The first thing he did when he arrived on the practice range before today's pro-am, though, was to strap his right wrist.

"I had 10 days of rest and ultra-sound treatment and it's fine for now," he said. "I hit about 30 balls on Sunday, then played 18 holes on Monday at Stoke Park and shot two under, which was nice.

"I'm not sure about my schedule coming up. I'm going to play The Open, put it that way - I don't know about the rest."

Robert Karlsson, eighth in The Masters and fourth in the US Open, has made a late decision to play this week.

"I've had a sore throat and stuff and decided only yesterday," commented the Swede. "It's not been the best preparation - Sunday was the first time I touched the clubs since leaving America."

With a massive first prize of almost Ј528,000 the event will also be a battle for top spot on the Order of Merit with current top four - Miguel Angel Jimenez, Karlsson, Westwood and Oliver Wilson - in the field and sixth-placed Martin Kaymer, winner of the BMW title in Munich on Sunday, able to leap-frog over all of them by triumphing again.

There are also two places in The Open up for grabs off a mini-money list which has been running for a month.

Australian Scott Strange, winner of the Wales Open, and Chile's Felipe Aguilar, runner-up in the Irish Open, are in position to take them, but Ryder Cup pair Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley could avoid next Monday's 36-hole qualifier at Sunningdale with a top three finish on Sunday.


SMALL ADVANCE FOR WESTWOOD
Adebayor plays down exit talk
BRITISH PAIR READY FOR WOODS
“Couldn’t deal with the pressure”

HUDSON CLAIMS PLAY-OFF VICTORY

England's Rebecca Hudson claimed a sudden-death play-off victory with a birdie at the third extra hole to win the Tenerife Ladies Open at Golf Costa Adeje.

Hudson, 29, from Doncaster, began the final round one shot behind France's Anne-Lise Caudal and posted a final-round 69 in regulation play to finish on 10-under-par 278 in total.

Caudal, who won the previous week's tournament in Portugal, was a shot ahead with one hole to play, but bogeyed the par-five 18th after hitting her second shot into a greenside bunker, from where she took four shots to get down. She signed for a final-round 70.

Both players birdied the 472-yard 18th hole at the first extra time of asking Hudson rolled in a 12-footer for birdie while Caudal replied by holing hers from four feet. They both made pars on the 18th at the second extra hole, both players just missing their birdie chances.

After Caudal took four at the third extra hole, the 377-yard par-four 17th, Hudson sank her three-foot birdie putt claiming her second individual Ladies European Tour title and a first prize of 45,000.

It was her first LET victory since the 2006 OTP Bank Ladies European Open in Hungary, although she also won the European Cup in Spain in April, which was a team event.

"I didn't expect Aally get into the play-off and then win it, I'm thrilled," said Hudson, who is playing in her sixth season on the LET.

"I did not expect her to make any mistakes. Making a five on that hole is a bit like a dropped shot because it is quite a short par five but it was playing into the wind today. It was difficult so I didn't expect her to make a six. When she did it was a bit of a shock but I managed to hole that 12 footer on the first way round and that was crucial. Pressure or however the situation is took its toll and what happened, happened. I'll definitely have a nice bottle of something tonight."

Collated final round scores & totals in the Ladies European tour Tenerife Ladies Open, Golf Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain

(Spa unless stated, par 72):

278 Rebecca Hudson 70 68 71 69 (Hudson won at the third extra hole of a sudden-death play-off), Anna-Lise Caudal (Fra) 70 69 69 70

281 Carlota Ciganda 69 66 75 71, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 69 71 73 68

282 Marta Silva 71 71 68 72, Maria Verchenova (Rus) 68 69 73 72, Melissa Reid 70 71 68 73

283 Lisa Sorensen (Den) 73 66 71 73, Paula Marti 72 71 71 69

284 Krista Ursula Wikstrom (Fin) 69 68 73 74, Anja Monke (Ger) 69 74 71 70, Lotta Maria Wahlin (Swe) 73 70 75 66, Louise Stahle (Swe) 69 69 73 73, Martina Eberl (Ger) 72 73 69 70

285 Tania Elosegui 72 74 68 71, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 72 74 69 70

286 Felicity Johnson 70 70 73 73, Mianne Bagger (Den) 74 73 68 71, Joanne Mills (Aus) 72 70 73 71, Federica Piovano (Ita) 71 70 75 70

287 Zuzana Kamasova (Svk) 70 72 77 68, Julie Greciet (Fra) 67 74 73 73, Diana Luna (Ita) 70 73 69 75, Denise Becker (Ger) 69 75 72 71, Eva Steinberger (Aut) 71 72 66 78

288 Leah Hart (Aus) 72 72 70 74, Becky Brewerton 73 74 70 71, Trish Johnson (USA) 68 72 75 73, Emma Cabrera Bello 75 71 71 71

289 Martina Gillen 73 74 71 71

290 Vittoria Valvassori (Ita) 74 72 70 74, Laura Terebey (USA) 69 74 74 73, Marta Prieto 75 70 71 74, Azahara Munoz 76 72 71 71, Stefanie Michl (Aut) 71 74 73 72, Carmen Alonso 69 72 74 75

291 Karen Lunn (Aus) 72 72 74 73, Dana Lacey (Aus) 69 75 71 76, Marina Arruti 75 72 69 75, Lisa Hall 74 73 70 74, Lynn t Brooky (Nzl) 71 75 72 73, Nicole Gergely (Aut) 72 71 75 73, Melodie Bourdy (Fra) 73 73 73 72, Clare Queen 71 73 71 76

292 Julie Tvede (Den) 71 72 73 76, Samantha Head 73 73 74 72

293 Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 70 75 74 74

294 Beatriz Recari 73 72 71 78, Ana-Belen Sanchez 77 70 78 69, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 72 71 77 74

295 Cherie Byrnes (Aus) 73 74 74 74, Lydia Hall 72 74 73 76, Maria Boden (Swe) 73 72 77 73

296 Rui Yokomine (Jpn) 75 73 72 76, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 74 72 73 77, Laura Cabanillas Gomez 76 72 73 75

297 Rebecca Coakley 72 76 74 75, Sarah Nicholson (Nzl) 76 70 76 75

298 Sofia Renell (Swe) 79 69 74 76, Kathryn Imrie 73 74 74 77, Joanne Clingan 74 72 76 76, Marjet Van Der Graaff (Ned) 74 74 75 75

299 Georgina Simpson 77 69 80 73

300 Isabella Maconi (Ita) 78 68 72 82

301 Emma Lyons 73 75 71 82

302 Kate Combes (Aus) 75 73 75 79

304 Karen-margrethe null Juul (Den) 74 73 80 77


Agent claims Gunners talks
IMADA CLAIMS CLASSIC GLORY
HUDSON IN CONTENTION

MERIT LEADERS LOCK HORNS IN FRANCE

The number one spot on the European Order of Merit is up for grabs at the French Open this week with top four Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood and Oliver Wilson all competing for a first prize of more than Ј500,000.

But if the event, now one of the richest on Tour after the majors and world championships, follows the pattern of recent years then someone's life will be changing on Sunday.

Shock victories have become the norm at Le Golf National since Malcolm Mackenzie set the trend six years ago.

The Sheffield golfer had not won any of his previous 508 European Tour events stretching back to 1981 when he beat Trevor Immelman - Masters champion now, of course - with a last-hole birdie.

"I felt a mixture of relief, elation and emotion - 20 years worth all in one go," he said. "It's not an easy game to play when you've got three kids and you're trying to pay your mortgage.

"We've been planning an extension on the house for five years and haven't been able to afford it."

He could, though, with a cheque of more than Ј205,000, almost seven times bigger than his previous

best.

A year later Londoner Phil Golding, playing his 201st event and 411th in the world, grabbed his first victory - after no fewer than 16 trips to the Tour qualifying school.

"I can't believe this. It's a dream come true," he said. "Apart from the birth of my child this is the greatest moment in my life.

"When I just failed to keep my card last season I didn't want to go back to the school, but my wife persuaded me to."

In 2004 Jean-Francois Remesy was world-ranked 161st when he became the first home winner since 1969 - and 165th when he made a successful defence by beating compatriot Jean Van de Velde in a dramatic play-off.

Two years ago John Bickerton, who until going to Tenerife the previous October had not won in 287 events, stood 189th in the world when he pushed Padraig Harrington into second place.

And last year fellow Englishman Graeme Storm, not in the top 200, played the round of his life - a five under par 66 - for his first Tour title just a few years after he was cleaning trays outside a cake factory to make ends meet.

It will be some feat to deny one of the big guns victory this weekend, however.

Westwood's last start was his third place finish in the US Open at Torrey Pines, where he led with nine to play and had a putt on the last to join Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate in the play-off.

Karlsson was fourth there and Jimenez sixth, although the Spaniard has since missed the cut in the BMW International in Madrid.


BJORN MISSES LIMERICK EVENT
PSG chase France legends
ROSE READY FOR BIRKDALE RETURN
Ex-Bear Benson ordered to install alcohol car lock

FALDO: LOSING WOODS WON'T HURT USA

Nick Faldo is certain that the American Ryder Cup team will unite in the absence of Tiger Woods.

"On the one side it could be a loss, but on the other they know that they don't have the option to bank on Tiger this year and I'm sure they'll all pull together because of that," Europe's captain told PA Sport.

"I don't think it's a given that it improves our chances. The best player in the world over 18 holes in match play can be very vulnerable - players raise their game in that kind of situation.

"Ultimately we'll just have to wait and see and, in the meantime, let's hope that Tiger makes a swift recovery.

"I didn't have any suspicions last week that it was as serious as it actually was and I am relatively shocked.

"I am amazed at what he did. To go two months without tournament play with minimal practice - I assume he could practise short game and putting, but apparently he only started long game the week before - and nobody knows how much pain he was in."

Asked whether in view of how Woods captured his 14th major he now considered him the greatest of all time Faldo replied: "I think he needs to get beyond Jack's record (18) to claim that, but he's certainly on track. "

Despite two nine-point wins in a row and not having to face Woods,

Faldo is still expecting an even contest at Valhalla in September.

"On paper we're coming off some strong wins and have a great tradition of team spirit in the Ryder Cup, but look at the rankings and you'll see that the US has a wealth of talent.

"This is match play. You're playing for pride and a point and that makes things pretty equal.

"In terms of the majors this is a great opportunity for the guys and a European winning the Open or US PGA can do wonders for the team. Absolutely."

Woods has played five Ryder Cups and has been on the winning side only in Boston in 1999. But he was their leading scoring with three points out of five at The K Club two years ago.


WOODS GOES UNDER KNIFE
McBride: We’re Not Out Of Woods Yet

GUTSY KAYMER IN CUP CONTENTION

Martin Kaymer, on course to become only the second German to play in the Ryder Cup, has proved he is not just a talent but a fighter too.

The 23-year-old, tipped for great things by Bernhard Langer, is up from 10th to sixth on the points table after a second victory of the season at the BMW International in Munich.

Yet what a relief it was for him in front of his home fans.

As in Abu Dhabi in January, Kaymer led by six with a round to go. But whereas he was never caught there, this time he followed two bogeys on the front nine with a triple-bogey eight on the 11th after making what he admitted afterwards was "a big mistake".

With one to play he trailed Dane Anders Hansen by one, but last season's Rookie of the Year made a two-putt birdie on the par five to tie and did the same for a winning birdie when they went into sudden death.

"I think I have a really good chance now," said Kaymer when asked about his position with 10 events to go in the cup race.

"A six-shot lead is a lot, but it does not feel like that. The most important thing (after he hit a five-iron and then a pitch into the lake on the 11th) was just to keep fighting - and I did.

"It was very exciting and to be the first German to win this is very special."

As it was to win in the week where he pulled out of the eve-of-tournament pro-am to visit his seriously ill mother. "This is for you," he added, shedding tears.

Kaymer missed his first five halfway cuts last season as he struggled to adjust to all the long-haul travelling the tour involves.

But he knew he had the game. He won twice in eight starts as he finished fourth on the 2006 Challenge Tour and before that registered five victories in 12 weeks on the German mini-tour.

In one of those he scored a second-round 59 containing an eagle and 12 birdies - and followed it up with a 62 to triumph by 10.

His first victory on that circuit had come while he was a 19-year-old amateur and once the main tour returned to Europe last year he began to find his feet.

After a third-place finish in Portugal he was joint leader with a round to go in the Wales Open and joint third after 54 holes of the French Open, then missed another opportunity for his first win by double-bogeying the final hole of the Scandinavian Masters.

The foundations had been laid, though, and after top-10 finishes in his last two events of the season - with an 11-under-par 61 in the first of them - he burst onto centre stage in the Middle East at the start of this year.

As well as winning in Abu Dhabi he was runner-up to Tiger Woods in Dubai after a birdie-birdie-eagle finish.

English trio Paul Casey, Mark Foster and John Bickerton were joint third yesterday, while Colin Montgomerie's 16th place was at least an improvement on the last few months.

The circuit moves on to the French Open this week.


GARCIA ROCKETS INTO RYDER CONTENTION
Senators honor champion ‘New Jersey’ Giants

STEWART CINKS OPPOSITION

Stewart Cink won the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, after a solid final 18 holes.

Entering the final round with a two-shot lead, Cink squandered the advantage before regaining it to win by one shot over 2007 champion Hunter Mahan and Tommy Armour III.

Cink carded a three-under-par 67 to finish at 18-under, having also won this tournament in 1997 when it was known as the Greater Hartford Open.

Overcoming a brief weather delay during the final round, Cink carded four birdies and a bogey.

The American endured his lone bogey at the par-four fourth hole, then was flawless the rest of the way as he collected the first prize of US$1million.

It was Cink's fifth career title and his first since 2004, who finished fifth last week at the US Open.

Londoner Brian Davis carded a final round of 66 to lift himself to 11 under and a share of 12th place.

Fellow Englishman Justin Rose had a 67 to finish a stroke behind in a tie for 19th.

Collated final round scores & totals (USA unless stated, par 70):

262 Stewart Cink 66 64 65 67

263 Hunter Mahan 68 63 67 65, Tommy Armour III 69 64 65 65

264 Heath Slocum 67 66 64 67

266 Vijay Singh (Fij) 66 68 64 68

267 Kenny Perry 66 67 65 69, Brad Adamonis 64 68 68 67, Michael Allen 69 66 68 64, Bubba Watson 66 68 67 66

268 Michael Letzig 68 68 63 69, Corey Pavin 68 66 70 64, Kevin Streelman 73 63 62 70

269 Brian Davis (Eng) 64 70 69 66, Chris DiMarco 66 69 64 70, Tag Ridings 66 70 66 67, John Huston 65 69 67 68, Ben Curtis 68 66 69 66, Tom Pernice Jnr. 65 68 68 68

270 Tim Herron 66 69 67 68, Lucas Glover 65 66 71 68, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 68 69 65 68, Justin Rose (Eng) 65 72 66 67, Bill Haas 68 67 69 66, Jon Mills (Can) 70 64 65 71, Briny Baird 67 70 66 67, D.J. Trahan 67 70 62 71

271 Scott McCarron 68 69 68 66, Chad Campbell 67 70 62 72, David Toms 67 69 64 71, Ken Duke 65 66 70 70, Kevin Sutherland 67 65 72 67, Jason null Day (Aus) 67 67 66 71, Steve Elkington (Aus) 70 64 66 71

272 Dustin Johnson 66 70 67 69, Bob Estes 69 68 64 71, Nicholas Thompson 67 69 68 68

273 Joe Ogilvie 70 67 68 68, Craig Kanada 67 68 70 68, Greg Kraft 69 67 66 71, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 70 65 70 68, Fred Funk 66 68 65 74, Peter Lonard (Aus) 66 70 70 67, Webb Simpson 67 70 67 69

274 Larry Mize 67 70 67 70

275 Kent Jones 66 70 73 66, Steve Lowery 64 73 69 69, Brenden Pappas (Rsa) 69 65 65 76, Johnson Wagner 64 71 67 73, Bob Sowards 67 70 66 72, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 68 66 72 69, Jason Gore 71 66 69 69

276 Kevin Na (Kor) 69 66 69 72, John Rollins 70 64 68 74, Andrew Buckle (Aus) 68 68 72 68, Jason Allred 68 67 68 73, Olin Browne 68 69 69 70, Matt Kuchar 67 70 66 73, John Mallinger 67 67 74 68

277 Michael Thompson 65 67 72 73, J J Henry 66 70 68 73

278 Brett Rumford (Aus) 68 66 72 72

279 Steve Marino 67 70 72 70, Billy Mayfair 66 70 71 72, Notah Begay III 66 71 70 72, Harrison Frazar 69 68 71 71

280 Dudley Hart 68 68 72 72, Charlie Wi (Kor) 68 68 72 72, Billy Andrade 69 68 69 74

282 Vaughn Taylor 67 68 78 69

283 Chris Stroud 67 69 75 72

284 Jim McGovern 67 69 75 73, Peter Karmis (Rsa) 65 70 72 77


McNabb has shoulder tendinitis, sits out practice
WEEKLEY DEFENDS VERIZON TITLE

KAYMER CLOSING IN ON BMW TITLE

Rising German star Martin Kaymer is poised for his second win of the year - and a probable leap to sixth on the Ryder Cup table.

Last season's European Tour Rookie of the Year, who will be making his Open Championship debut at Royal Birkdale in a month's time, goes into the final round of the BMW International Open in Munich with a six-stroke lead.

The 23-year-old from Dusseldorf, who opened a five-shot advantage with his Friday 63, thrilled his home crowd again with a bogey-free 67.

Kaymer, who showed in the Middle East in January he could win from the front, is now 18 under par, with South African Charl Schwartzel his closest challenger.

Joint third, one further back, are English trio Paul Casey, Ross Fisher and Benn Barham and Frenchman Thomas Levet.

Kaymer had his overnight advantage cut to two by the time he teed off again in the glorious sunshine, but after birdies on the sixth, eighth and ninth - he pitched to within inches of the hole there - he was back firmly in the driving seat.

A chip-and-putt four on the long 11th widened the gap still further and the "old head on young shoulders", which Bernhard Langer talked about after being so impressed on the first two days, put the icing on the cake with a closing 25-footer.

Kaymer currently lies 10th in the Ryder Cup race, but can go move ahead of Oliver Wilson, Henrik Stenson, Nick Dougherty and Graeme McDowell.

Wilson and Dougherty are on a week off, McDowell missed the cut and Stenson managed only a 72 today to remain seven under.

Langer, whose first cap in 1981 came when he was only just 24, compared his compatriot to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson with his mixture of aggression and good sense.

"Going by the last two days he can go a long way - I don't think there are any limits if he keeps that up and I don't think it's too early (to face the Americans)," said the double Masters champion. "He is a winner and he has proved that."

Colin Montgomerie threatened to get into contention when he reached eight under after 11 holes, but although he added two more birdies there was also a double bogey on the 13th and bogey on the short 17th.

That added up to a 68 and seven-under total - too far back to have a chance unless Kaymer comes back to the field.

Iain Pyman had the low round of the day, an eight under 64 which lifted the former British amateur champion from the cut line to nine under.

Kaymer, seen holding his back and stomach towards the end of the round, said afterwards he was fine and added: "I'm very happy - and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

So is Casey. Even if he cannot catch the youngster he has a chance to post his best finish of the season, boost his own Ryder Cup hopes and take some wine off American coach Peter Kostis.

"He set me the target of scoring lower today than I did yesterday and if I do the same in the final round I might win some wine," he said.

Collated third round scores & totals in the European Tour BMW International Open, Golfclub Munchen Nord-Eichenreid, Munich, Germany

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

198 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 68 63 67

204 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 69 69 66

205 Paul Casey 70 68 67, Ross Fisher 70 68 67, Benn Barham 68 68 69, Thomas Levet (Fra) 69 69 67

206 Anders Hansen (Den) 69 70 67, Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 70 66 70, Tino Schuster (Ger) 69 68 69, David Lynn 67 73 66

207 Joel Sjoholm (Swe) 71 71 65, Iain Pyman 69 74 64, Retief Goosen (Rsa) 69 69 69, Mark Foster 67 72 68, Graeme Storm 68 69 70

208 Ariel Canete (Arg) 73 65 70, John Bickerton 70 70 68

209 David Howell 69 69 71, Colin Montgomerie 70 71 68, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 68 73 68, Gary Murphy 71 70 68, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 69 68 72, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 66 75 68

210 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 67 74 69, Richard Finch 69 68 73, Stephan jr. Gross (Ger) 71 68 71, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 66 73 71, Bradley Dredge 73 65 72

211 Peter Hanson (Swe) 72 70 69, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 70 70 71, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 70 68 73, David Frost (Rsa) 74 69 68, Mardan Mamat (Sin) 66 71 74, Simon Khan 75 65 71

212 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 69 69, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 69 72 71, Peter Lawrie 73 68 71, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 69 69 74, Alex Cejka (Ger) 74 67 71, Oliver Fisher 71 70 71, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 70 72 70, Barry Lane 70 70 72

213 Bernhard Langer (Ger) 70 72 71, Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 73 72, Alastair Forsyth 74 68 71, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 70 68 75

214 Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 67 72 75, Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 72 68 74, Gareth Paddison (Nzl) 70 70 74, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 71 72 71, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 67 76

215 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 72 72, Markus Brier (Aut) 71 70 74, Peter Fowler (Aus) 71 70 74, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 71 69 75

216 Pedro Linhart (Spa) 70 73 73, Andrew McLardy (Rsa) 68 75 73

217 Carl Suneson (Spa) 69 73 75

218 Anton Haig (Rsa) 66 73 79, Hennie Otto (Rsa), 73 68 77, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 73 70 75

219 Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 71 69 79

220 Florian Praegant (Aut) 74 67 79

222 Tom Whitehouse 72 71 79

223 Niclas Fasth (Swe) 70 72 81, Mark Brown (USA) 72 71 80


FINCH MAKES A SPLASH
JIMENEZ ON THE UP
Serie A Round-Up

MEDIATE DEFIANT OVER WOODS ABSENCE

US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate believes Tiger Woods' absence could inspire the American Ryder Cup team in Kentucky later this year.

Woods announced earlier this week he is to undergo surgery on his left knee which will rule him out of the rest of the PGA season and he will require further time off to rehabilitate.

The world number one made the decision to undergo a second surgery on his left knee just two days after he won his 14th major championship by defeating Mediate in a dramatic play-off at Torrey Pines.

Mediate admits he is saddened by Woods' absence from the tour but feels it could have a galvanising effect on the US team when they face Europe at the Valhalla Club in September.

He told BBC's Sportsweek programme: "It (his absence) could be a big one. Or maybe it will inspire the team. Maybe it will be good for the team - maybe they will try and show everybody that we can do it.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up but it would be a weird thing that he couldn't play. It would be kind of sad."

However, the 45-year-old was confident Woods can make a successful return although the game will be poorer without him, saying: "It is very sad for everybody. As long as he is okay, he's going to be fine but I'm sure he wanted to play the Europa Championship and the PGA but you've got to do what you've got to do.

"It's sad - I like it when Tiger is around, it makes everything better.

"He'll be fine, he'll rehab it correctly. I'm sure he'll be fine by next year."

Mediate had been bidding to become the oldest first-time winner of a major championship and twice had victory within his grasp, only for Woods to send their duel into sudden death.

On the 91st hole Woods finally shook off his fellow American with Mediate missing his putt to end his hopes of victory.

Mediate admitted he was aware of Woods' injury but thought it had improved by the final day.

"Surprisingly it didn't look as though anything was going on at all (on Monday).

"It looked a lot worse on Saturday and not so good on Sunday, but Saturday looked the worse day to me.

"On Monday - I'm sure it hurt - but there wasn't a lot of that bending down and I didn't see a lot of it.

"But he knew he was hurt and I asked him after and he said 'yeah it still hurts and I need to get it checked' and all of a sudden he is done for the year, which is kind of sad. I wish he wasn't done for the year, it was a great week.

"He would never make excuses, if I'd have won by five shots he'd never say 'well I couldn't play because of my knee'.

"You knew something was wrong because all week he was in a lot of pain and wasn't swinging like he usually swings."


WOODS AND MEDIATE FACE PLAY-OFF
Winslow’s absence felt as Browns open practices

CIGANDA IN LEAD AT HALFWAY

Spanish teenage amateur Carlota Ciganda leads the Tenerife Ladies Open by one shot at the half-way stage after a second round six-under-par 66 at Golf Costa Adeje.

The 18-year-old from Pamplona finished the day on nine under, one ahead of Finland's Ursula Wikstrom, who had a four-under 68 and Russian Maria Verchenova, who had a three-under 69.

Ciganda, who was the 2007 British Ladies Amateur Champion, is hoping to become the fifth amateur tournament winner in the 30-year history of the Ladies European Tour this week.

"I hit it very long and today I hit very straight so it was very helpful for me," said Ciganda.

"If you play a good driver you have an approach from 80 to 100 metres so it's easier to make birdies."

Ciganda recorded just one bogey, at the par-four ninth-hole on her front nine, and posted an outward total of 37. However she ripped up the back nine with seven birdies, including five in a row from the 11th, for an inward total of 29.

"Once I started I couldn't stop. I played really well, very good shots," she said. "My putts were incredible. I made seven birdies and two pars on the back nine. I'm very happy."


“The most conservative system in Europe”
CAUDAL LEADS THE WAY

AZINGER: TIGER'S HEALTH COMES FIRST

Paul Azinger has reacted to the loss of Tiger Woods from his Ryder Cup team by insisting he is more worried about the player's welfare than than how it affects America's chances.

World number one Woods will miss the rest of the season, including September's showpiece against Europe at Valhalla, as he is set to undergo reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee as well as rehabilitating a fracture of the left tibia in his leg.

His absence is a potential blow to his country's chances of ending Europe's recent dominance of the Ryder Cup - they have won the last three matches - although some argue it may actually boost their hopes.

US captain Azinger said: "I admire Tiger as a person, player and fan - this should not be about Tiger and the Ryder Cup now.

"This is about Tiger's health and well-being and his march to history."


FALDO AND AZINGER MEET
Former Patriots linebacker Colvin visits Texans
AZINGER OUTLINES RYDER CUP PLAN

CAUDAL LEADS THE WAY

Anne-Lise Caudal from France takes a one shot lead into the final round of the Tenerife Open at Golf Coast Adeje.

The 24-year-old from Ciboure carded a three-under-par 69 on the third day of the tournament to finish on eight-under-par, one ahead of Austria's Eva Steinberger and Britons Rebecca Hudson and Melissa Reid.

Caudal posted six birdies and three bogeys on a warm and windy day on the Canary Island with her friend Ludivine Kreutz on caddie duties.

Kreutz, a former Solheim Cup player, won the tournament in 2005 when it was last staged at Golf Costa Adeje, but missed the cut by one shot yesterday.

"She knows the course very well so she is a good caddie," said Caudal, who has not finished outside the top four places over the last three weeks on tour.

Kreutz added: "I was just carrying the bag and I said ask me a question if you want me to help you.

"I helped a couple of times on the green with the line but that's it. I just tried to talk to her to help her to relax. I did nothing, she did everything!"

Caudal is aiming to become the first back-to-back tournament winner since defending champion Nikki Garrett won the Tenerife and Spanish Opens at the beginning of last year.

Hudson, who had a one-under-par 71, will be aiming to secure her first individual LET title since the 2006 Central European Open in Hungary.

She said: "I didn't think I'd be one shot off the lead. I did think some-one would get to 10 or 11-under-par.

"l didn't actually play fabulous, especially on the front nine. I got up and down a lot. I didn't have many expectations - just wanted to go out and play well again.

"I had some chances and I didn't hole anything for par so hopefully tomorrow, if I play as well as I have done on this back nine and get a few putts going in, I should be okay.

"If I can hole some putts I've got a good chance. We'll be giving it all we can."

Reid, who leads the tour's Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year race, shot a third round of 68 and is aiming to become the first rookie winner on the tour since Finland's Minea Blomqvist took the 2004 Central European Open.

Spanish amateur Carlota Ciganda, who led by two shots at halfway, carded a 75 and shares fifth place on six under.

Collated third round scores & totals in the Tenerife Ladies Open, Golf Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain

(Spa Unless Stated, Par 72):

208 Anne Lise Caudal (Fra) 70 69 69

209 Eva Steinberger (Aut) 71 72 66, Melissa Reid (Eng) 70 71 68, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 70 68 71

210 Marta Silva 71 71 68, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den) 73 66 71, Maria Verchenova (Rus) 68 69 73, Ursula Wikstrom (Fin) 69 68 73, Carlota Ciganda 69 66 75

211 Louise Stahle (Swe) 69 69 73

212 Diana Luna (Ita) 70 73 69

213 Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 69 71 73, Felicity Johnson (Eng) 70 70 73

214 Tania Elosegui 72 74 68, Martina Eberl (Ger) 72 73 69, Leah Hart (Aus) 72 72 70, Anja Monke (Ger) 69 74 71, Paula Marti 72 71 71, Julie Greciet (Fra) 67 74 73

215 Mianne Bagger (Den) 74 73 68, Nikki Garrett (Aus) 72 74 69, Clare Queen (Sco) 71 73 71, Dana Lacey (Aus) 69 75 71, Joanne Mills (Aus) 72 70 73, Carmen Alonso 69 72 74, Trish Johnson (Eng) 68 72 75

216 Marina Arruti 75 72 69, Vittoria Valvassori (Ita) 74 72 70, Beatriz Recari 73 72 71, Marta Prieto 75 70 71, Denise Charlotte Becker (Ger) 69 75 72, Julie Tvede (Den) 71 72 73, Federica Piovano (Ita) 71 70 75

217 Becky Brewerton (Wal) 73 74 70, Lisa Hall (Eng) 74 73 70, Emma Cabrera Bello 75 71 71, Laura Terebey (USA) 69 74 74

218 Martina Gillen (Irl) 73 74 71, Lynn Brooky (Nzl) 71 75 72, Isabella Maconi (Ita) 78 68 72, Stefanie Michl (Aut) 71 74 73, Karen Lunn (Aus) 72 72 74, Lotta Wahlin (Swe) 73 70 75, Nicole Gergely (Aut) 72 71 75

219 Emma Lyons (Eng) 73 75 71, Azahara Munoz 76 72 71, Lydia Hall (Wal) 72 74 73, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 74 72 73, Melodie Bourdy (Fra) 73 73 73, Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 70 75 74, Zuzana Kamasova (Svk) 70 72 77

220 Rui Yokomine (Jpn) 75 73 72, Samantha Head (Eng) 73 73 74, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 72 71 77

221 Laura Cabanillas 76 72 73, Kathryn Imrie (Sco) 73 74 74, Cherie Byrnes (Aus) 73 74 74

222 Rebecca Coakley (Irl) 72 76 74, Sofia Renell (Swe) 79 69 74, Jo Clingan (Eng) 74 72 76, Sarah Nicholson (Nzl) 76 70 76, Maria Boden (Swe) 73 72 77

223 Kate Combes (Aus) 75 73 75, Marjet Van Der Graaff (Ned) 74 74 75

225 Ana B Sanchez 77 70 78

226 Georgina Simpson (Eng) 77 69 80

227 Karen Margrethe Juul (Den) 74 73 80


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CASEY INVITES SINGH TO WATCH HIM TRAIN

Paul Casey has invited Vijay Singh to watch him train, just to prove to the Fijian that he for one is not living in a comfort zone.

Without naming any names Singh criticised British players before the US Open last week, saying: "They find themselves having a fine time and wondering 'why should I bother to work hard?' Their way of life is so comfortable."

After staying in the hunt for the BMW International in Munich on Friday Casey commented: "I think I work incredibly hard off the course.

"I'd like Vijay to come and do a session with me. See how he gets on. I am happy with what I put in."

Casey added that the mantra of his American coach Peter Kostis has always been to prepare for events behind the scenes.

"That's the way I do it and I think it's the way Tiger (Woods) does it. You rarely see him after he plays.

"On weeks off I am in the gym by seven, then on the course by 10 and there until four. That's not including the work I do on the mental side - and I go riding on my bike in the evenings."

By a coincidence Casey and Singh were paired together in the third round at Torrey Pines.

They were labelled "the shirker and the worker", but Casey chose not to confront him on the day about his comments.


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DAVIS IN FOUR-WAY TIE FOR LEAD

England's Brian Davis lost some momentum at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut on Friday.

The London-born player was in a tie for the lead after the first round but an level-par 70 dropped him back into a share of ninth on six under at the River Highlands course in Cromwell.

Justin Rose also suffered a setback after slipping from his overnight position of joint fifth.

He carded a a two-over-par 72 - which included double-bogeys at the short eighth and par-five 13th - to be six shots adrift of defending champion Hunter Mahan, who shot a seven-under-par 63 to claim the clubhouse lead on nine under.

Kenny Perry is one of six golfers tied for third at seven under after a second-round 67.


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MONTY - WOODS HEALTH MOST IMPORTANT

Winning either of the next two majors - or indeed the Ryder Cup - will not be devalued because Tiger Woods is out injured.

That was the opinion of Colin Montgomerie as golfers the world over continued to react to the world number one taking the rest of the season off to recover from more knee surgery and two stress fractures in his left leg.

"Everybody is disappointed he won't be at the Open or PGA or other world events," said Montgomerie. "But health is number one and we have to go by that.

"It puts the whole thing into perspective in a big, big hurry. We wish him well and we realise now with him not playing the power one individual has in the game."

Asked, though, if success at Royal Birkdale next month or Oakland Hills in August would mean less, the 44-year-old Scot added: "Not at all - in four years' time you won't know if Tiger Woods was playing or not."

While he has still not won a major, Montgomerie has, of course, captured a record eight European Order of Merit titles and on that he commented: "One of the main reasons I was doing that is because I was healthy."

Bernhard Langer, captain of Europe's Ryder Cup team when they won by a record nine points on American soil four years ago, believes Woods' absence from this year's match has to harm America's chances.

"As a captain I would love to have him on my side and if he can't play I think it's for the worse.

"It is unbelievable what he has done (in his career) and hopefully he will recover real soon.

"I don't know exactly what injury he has, but I've spoken to a couple of physios and they said it's a serious injury. There could be some chance he might not play again or play to the level he has - but I hope for him, he is very determined and a great athlete.

"There again, we've seen other athletes coming back after being told they have no chance."

Florida-based Langer does not think the Ryder Cup atmosphere will be affected - "it's a thing by itself" - but other tournaments that he plays in are bound to suffer both in crowd figures and television ratings.

The main beneficiary might be world number two Phil Mickelson, who suddenly has an unexpected chance to make it to number one.

It has been calculated that should Mickelson win either The Open or PGA, a world championship and two other events, he could overtake Woods by the end of the year.

And if Woods is out until The Masters next April then his points average by then would be close to what Mickelson's is now.

The fact that Woods won his 14th major at the US Open on Monday given the state his body was in continues to defy belief.

England's Ross Fisher said: "To go out and win with a knee injury like that is phenomenal.

"It just shows how mentally strong he is and what a great golfer he is. To hear he is not going to play for the rest of the year is a massive blow to golf.

"Guys might think they have a chance now, but personally I think it is very, very sad. You play to beat the best players in the world and the best player won't be there.

"I have experienced playing with Tiger and that is what you dream about from an early age."


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TIGER OUT FOR THREE MONTHS - SURGEON

Tiger Woods could be out of action for as little as three months after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

Woods revealed yesterday he needs surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, just days after returning to action after an earlier operation to win his 14th major title, the US Open, in a play-off.

Reports have suggested Woods will be out until next season, but Simon Moyes, one of the UK's leading orthopaedic surgeons, believes he could be back in action much sooner than some forecasts.

Moyes, who works from the Wellington Hospital, said: "I personally believe that playing in the US Open would only have made his condition marginally worse. However, I am impressed he could play in his condition.

"It just demonstrates the exceptional athlete that he is.

"Once he has had his operation, I would expect him to be out of action for three months."

That prognosis might come as a surprise to England striker Michael Owen, who was sidelined for 10 months after rupturing the same ligament at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

However, Owen required two operations, the first to repair his cartilage, at the Denver clinic of renowned knee specialist Richard Steadman.

He finally returned to action in April last year after a gruelling period of rehabilitation with Steadman insisting his knee would be as good as new, and it has not let him down since.

Woods triumphed at Torrey Pines despite a double stress fracture of the tibia in the same leg and later admitted he might have taken better notice of the advice from his doctors.

It later emerged that the suggested rehabilitation programme began with three weeks on crutches and a further three weeks' rest.


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WOODS GOES UNDER KNIFE

TIGER WOODS FACTFILE

Here is a brief summary of the extraordinary career of Tiger Woods, the deeply entrenched World No 1 and already ranked as one of the greatest sportsmen of the 21st Century

1975: Born December 30, Cypress, California, son of retired US Army lieutenant colonel Earl Woods and Thai-born wife Kultida. Named Eldrick but nicknamed Tiger after a Vietnamese soldier befriended by Earl.

1976: Aged six months, watched his father hit golf balls into a net and imitated his swing.

1978: Appears on a television show putting with Bob Hope.

1979: Shoots 48 for nine holes aged three.

1991: Youngest ever winner of the US Junior championship aged 15.

1992: First player to win the US Junior championship twice. Makes US Tour debut.

1994: Youngest winner of the US Amateur championship, coming back from six holes down after 13 in the 36-hole final.

1995: Makes the cut on his Masters debut.

1996: Equals the lowest-ever total by an amateur in the Open, finishing 22nd at Lytham. Wins his third US Amateur title after being two down with three to play. Turns professional and signs a reported Ј25million five-year deal with Nike.

1997: Becomes youngest winner of the Masters with a record 18-under-par total that also saw him win by the largest-ever margin - 12 strokes.

1998: No major wins but finished in the top 20 of each.

1999: Member of the winning US Ryder Cup team at Brookline, Boston.

2000: Wins US Open at Pebble Beach with a record total in relation to par of 12 under and a record winning margin of 15 strokes. Wins the Open championship at St Andrews by eight shots, finishing 19 under par. Wins the US PGA championship.

2001: Wins his second Masters title to become the first player ever to hold all four professional Majors at the same time, dubbed the 'Tiger Slam'.

2002: Wins back-to-back Masters titles to match the achievement of Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo. Claims his second US Open title at Bethpage, becoming the first player ever to lead the tournament twice from start to finish.

2003: Breaks Byron Nelson's record for consecutive cuts made with his 114th straight at the Tour Championship.

2004: Surpasses the 40million US dollar mark for career earnings at the year's opening event, the Mercedes Championship, and makes it 40 US Tour wins when beating Davis Love in the final.

2005: Wins fourth Masters title in a play-off with Chris DiMarco and is second to New Zealand's Michael Campbell in the US Open. Cruises to victory in the Open championship at St Andrews, leaving Colin Montgomerie five shots behind in second.

2006: April - Third in the US Masters behind Phil Mickelson.

June - Misses his first cut in 38 majors as a professional at the US Open following nine-week lay-off after the death of his father, Earl.

July 23 - Wins third Open title at Hoylake by two shots from DiMarco with 18-under-par total of 270.

August 6 - Wins Buick Open, his 50th PGA Tour victory.

August 20 - Wins 12th major title, the US PGA at Medinah, continuing his record of never having lost a major when leading heading into the final round.

2007: June : Becomes a father for the first time after wife Elin gives birth to a daughter, Sam Alexis, less than 24 hours after finishing second at the US Open.

August 12 - Claims 13th major by successfully defending his US PGA title, extending his record of never having lost a major when leading heading into the final round.

2008: April 15 - Undergoes third left knee arthroscopic operation, missing two months of the season.

June 16 - Returns to action by winning third US Open title at Torrey Pines after an 18-hole play-off against Rocco Mediate. The result elevates him to outright third place ahead of Ben Hogan in the all-time list of PGA Tour title wins.


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TIGER ‘ON SCHEDULE’ FOR US OPEN

SEASON OVER FOR TIGER

Tiger Woods is out of not just next month's Open, but also the Ryder Cup in September and all golf for the rest of the year.

So now nobody can question that the world number one's US Open victory on Monday was one of the most amazing achievements ever in sport.

It was announced on Wednesday that Woods has a double stress fracture of his left tibia and needs anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

Staggeringly, Woods knew about the fracture before grabbing the 14th major of his career in a play-off against fellow American Rocco Mediate.

"I knew much was made about my knee throughout the last week and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time," said the 32-year-old in a statement on his website.

"I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA (United States Golf Association) and their incredibly hard work and make sure the focus was on the US Open.

"Now it is clear that the right thing to do is listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."

The statement added that the stress fracture was discovered last month just before the Memorial tournament in Ohio.

That was due to be Woods' comeback from the knee surgery he underwent two days after coming second in The Masters in April.

But the fact that he then decided to play at Torrey Pines, a course where he has now won five times in a row, simply defies belief.

Repeatedly during the five days of the event - the US Open play-off is over 18 holes and with both players still tied at the end of that it went to another hole - Woods was in agony.

The caddie of Robert Karlsson, who played with Woods in the third round, told Paul Casey that there were even noises coming from the knee as Woods swung.

"He said there was a moment, I think on the 18th, where he stepped up to hit his tee shot and backed off because of weird noises," Casey stated on Wednesday.

"They all chuckled and he said 'I shouldn't hit this one too hard'. He got it in play and made eagle! Amazing.

"I think he's so focused on his goal, beating Jack's record (Nicklaus has 18 majors), and he battled through it. It shows how determined he is to beat that record."

In an interview with German television before this week's BMW International Retief Goosen questioned whether Woods really was in serious trouble.

The South African said: "It just seemed that when he hit a bad shot he was in pain and on his good shots he wasn't. I believe if he was really injured he would not have played."

Goosen has since insisted he was speaking light-heartedly and his manager Guy Kinnings said that he would be among the first to wish Woods a speedy recovery.

Not being able to play at Royal Birkdale on July 17-20 is a huge blow for him and the championship.

Woods would have been going for his fourth Open title on a course where he missed out on a play-off by just one shot 10 years ago.

It will presumably be next April's Masters that he resumes his quest to catch and overtake Nicklaus, but the seriousness of the situation must even leave a question mark over that until he makes a complete recovery from the reconstructive surgery on his knee.

His doctors have assured him, meanwhile, that his stress fractures will fully heal in time.

How well America can do without him in the Ryder Cup remains to be seen, of course.

Woods has played in the last five matches, but four of those have been European victories and he makes no secret of the fact that he does not consider the match as important as the majors.

His opening tee shot at The K Club near Dublin two years ago was hooked into the lake, setting the tone for a terrible week for Tom Lehman's side.

Europe won by nine points that week, equalling their record winning margin of two years earlier in Detroit.

But it should be remembered - and this should concern new American captain Paul Azinger - that Woods did end up winning three of his five games and his only defeat in singles was against Costantino Rocca on his debut at Valderrama in July 1997.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said: "For an athlete as talented and competitive as Tiger Woods, taking the rest of the season off must have been an incredibly difficult, yet necessary decision, one that we understand and support completely.

"The fact he needs additional surgery only makes his performance and victory at last week's US Open all the more impressive.

"First and foremost, our concern - as it would be for any of our players facing surgery or illness - is for Tiger's health and overall wellbeing, both on and off the golf course. We wish him a speedy recovery."

US PGA president Brian Whitcomb said: "Once again this weekend, Tiger showed his special brand of skill and determination which makes him our game's greatest champion.

"As a fellow PGA member and friend we wish him a full and speedy recovery."

US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger added: "I admire Tiger as a person, player and fan.

"This should not be about Tiger and the Ryder Cup now - this is about Tiger's health and wellbeing and his march to history."

TIGER WOODS FACTFILE

1975: Born December 30, Cypress, California, son of retired US Army lieutenant colonel Earl Woods and Thai-born wife Kultida. Named Eldrick but nicknamed Tiger after a Vietnamese soldier befriended by Earl.

1976: Aged six months, watched his father hit golf balls into a net and imitated his swing.

1978: Appears on a television show putting with Bob Hope.

1979: Shoots 48 for nine holes aged three.

1991: Youngest ever winner of the US Junior championship aged 15.

1992: First player to win the US Junior championship twice. Makes US Tour debut.

1994: Youngest winner of the US Amateur championship, coming back from six holes down after 13 in the 36-hole final.

1995: Makes the cut on his Masters debut.

1996: Equals the lowest-ever total by an amateur in the Open, finishing 22nd at Lytham. Wins his third US Amateur title after being two down with three to play. Turns professional and signs a reported Ј25million five-year deal with Nike.

1997: Becomes youngest winner of the Masters with a record 18-under-par total that also saw him win by the largest-ever margin - 12 strokes.

1998: No major wins but finished in the top 20 of each.

1999: Member of the winning US Ryder Cup team at Brookline, Boston.

2000: Wins US Open at Pebble Beach with a record total in relation to par of 12 under and a record winning margin of 15 strokes. Wins the Open championship at St Andrews by eight shots, finishing 19 under par. Wins the US PGA championship.

2001: Wins his second Masters title to become the first player ever to hold all four professional Majors at the same time, dubbed the 'Tiger Slam'.

2002: Wins back-to-back Masters titles to match the achievement of Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo. Claims his second US Open title at Bethpage, becoming the first player ever to lead the tournament twice from start to finish.

2003: Breaks Byron Nelson's record for consecutive cuts made with his 114th straight at the Tour Championship.

2004: Surpasses the 40million US dollar mark for career earnings at the year's opening event, the Mercedes Championship, and makes it 40 US Tour wins when beating Davis Love in the final.

2005: Wins fourth Masters title in a play-off with Chris DiMarco and is second to New Zealand's Michael Campbell in the US Open. Cruises to victory in the Open championship at St Andrews, leaving Colin Montgomerie five shots behind in second.

2006: April - Third in the US Masters behind Phil Mickelson.

June - Misses his first cut in 38 majors as a professional at the US Open following nine-week lay-off after the death of his father, Earl.

July 23 - Wins third Open title at Hoylake by two shots from DiMarco with 18-under-par total of 270.

August 6 - Wins Buick Open, his 50th PGA Tour victory.

August 20 - Wins 12th major title, the US PGA at Medinah, continuing his record of never having lost a major when leading heading into the final round.

2007: June : Becomes a father for the first time after wife Elin gives birth to a daughter, Sam Alexis, less than 24 hours after finishing second at the US Open.

August 12 - Claims 13th major by successfully defending his US PGA title, extending his record of never having lost a major when leading heading into the final round.

2008: April 15 - Undergoes third left knee arthroscopic operation, missing twomonths of the season.

June 16 - Returns to action by winning third US Open title at Torrey Pines after an 18-hole play-off against Rocco Mediate. The result elevates him to outright third place ahead of Ben Hogan in the all-time list of PGA Tour title wins.

June 18 - Announces he is to undergo knee surgery, ruling him out of The Open.


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