ELS TO SKIP NEDBANK

Ernie Els is to miss the Nedbank Challenge in his homeland in December for the first time since his debut in 1992.

The South African, a well-known supporter of events around the world, has decided the event is a trip too far this year.

"This was something I have given a great deal of thought to, but reluctantly decided that it was something I needed to do," he said.

"Having moved my base to America this year and never previously having had a break in December I decided I would spent more time with my family settling into our new home.

"I would like to wish everybody connected to it every success and hopefully I will get the chance to return in the future."

Els and his wife Liezl have moved to Florida so that their autistic son Ben can receive the best possible treatment.


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WEATHER DISRUPTS PREPARATIONS

BELFRY NOTEBOOK: THURSDAY

12 MONTHS ON

This time last year I followed Rory McIlroy's first nine holes of professional golf and there was a certain sense of dйjа vu at 7.30 - another gloomy start from the 10th tee.

But his nine-iron to the front pin had just enough backspin to trickle into the water and the resulting double-bogey, soon followed by a bogey at 11, left him facing an uphill battle to shoot level par 72.

But McIlroy admitted afterwards that his first year of professional golf has taught him a lot about himself and even more about crafting a score so he remained patient and ground out the pars whilst waiting for the three birdies which corrected his scorecard.

His measured on-course response to the disappointment of missing out on victory in Crans earlier this month was reflected off course, too: "After I failed to win at Crans everyone I met was asking me why I bogied the final hole so I went to Spain with some mates because no-one there knew who I was."

Those two shots lost to par on the 10th were unfortunate and he insists that his ball-striking remains pure so don't be surprised if he makes a move on Friday.

CAN'T SEE WOOD FOR THE TREES

Paired with McIlroy this morning was Chris Wood, his successor as top-performing amateur in the Open Championship.

Wood also turned pro in the aftermath of that glory and like McIlroy he had his battles today.

On the 13th tee he drove his ball into a hedge and out of bounds.

His second drive cleared the hedge.

His third effort cleared the West Midlands.

He found the fairway with his fourth ball and eventually holed out for a 10. It seems absurd to say it, but the general view of those watching was positive because his scrambling and putting were not just brave but very skilful.

CELEBRITY HANDICAPS

According to two marshals the standard of play in the pro-am was at an all-time low this year. "We used to get Alan Hansen who played off six, but none of them were very good this year. Will Greenwood and Jonathan Davies weren't all they were cracked up to be."

Nor were they impressed with the celebrity factor. "One of them was called Vernon Kay, whoever he is. And Jeremy Kyle - have you heard of Jeremy Kyle? I haven't."

GALLIC FLAIR

Gregory Bourdy started the day in superb form helped by an eagle three at the third and a wonderful approach to the 10th which earned him a birdie.

He is something of an enigma as a player because his physique and stroke - especially his putting stroke - are rather fragile, but he is deceptively long and has a very sure touch around the greens.

He is also unusual in the modern game in having a pronounced shape of shot - right to left - which got him into trouble on the 12th when he pulled his tee shot out of bounds.

A female fan told me that he is one of the most elegantly-dressed players on tour, but after his mistake, in his grey jumper, under grey skies, with his rather large nose and careworn expression he reminded me of President Charles De Gaulle being told some especially bad news about the Maginot Line.

THE BELFRY MATURES

During last week's coverage of the Ryder Cup I saw some footage of the first match held at the Belfry and the contrast with today was astonishing: the course is now a very different proposition to 1985.

Instead of wide-open farm-fields on the edge of Birmingham the course is now genuinely tree-lined with the lakes and streams feeling significantly less artificial than they once did.

And this year it is offering a stiff test. Players and caddies agreed that the rough was much longer than last year and with softer fairways the course is playing longer - very few even attempted to reach the 17th in two, never mind achieve it.

A blustery wind is predicted for Friday afternoon so the early starters may have an advantage, although there is almost no chance of a repeat of last year's wild Friday wind which caused higher than average scoring.


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LYLE KEEN ON RYDER CAPTAINCY

Sandy Lyle says he will be putting himself forward to be Europe's Ryder Cup captain for the 2010 match against the United States at Celtic Manor.

Lyle has won the support of Ryder Cup star Colin Montgomerie, who said on Wednesday that it would be a shame if the Scot, who has won two major titles, did not get an opportunity to skipper the European team.

Montgomerie's name has also been linked with the role, but the eight-time European Order of Merit winner would prefer to captain the side at Gleneagles four years later.

"I really appreciate Colin's kind words," said Lyle in a statement.

"It means a great deal to me that a man who has been so successful in Ryder Cup competitions should endorse my candidacy as Ryder Cup captain.

"I would be delighted and honoured to take on the challenge of captaining the European team at Celtic Manor in 2010."

Lyle added he was ready for the rough and tumble of being captain.

"You know you will get some knocks, but you don't win majors without being hard inside.

"It's about handling people and all the different types of egos which go around - and the personalities.

"You need to be a leader, I've watched the Ryder Cup for a number of years and was involved at The K Club behind the scenes. Seeing Ian Woosnam get the team going was very inspiring at the time.

"I've known a lot of the Ryder Cup players and I think I've got good feedback off them when been involved. I'll do my best - that's all I can do."

Lyle was criticised in July for walking out of The Open at Birkdale during the bad weather of the first morning.

"I'm thick-skinned, not generally a quitter. Hopefully it won't leave any scars as far as being a Ryder Cup captain."

Jose Maria Olazabal remains the favourite to captain Europe in Wales, but the Spaniard says he would prefer to play.


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OLAZABAL EYES PLAYING RETURN

WESTWOOD BATTLES BACK

Defending champion Lee Westwood fought his way back into contention at the Quinn Insurance British Masters on Saturday.

Westwood, much to the annoyance of the "raging" promoter and BBC Television, had to wait until 4.05pm to resume at The Belfry.

And the Ryder Cup player was hardly in the best of moods when he then bogeyed his first three holes and dropped from joint leader to joint 14th in the fog-delayed event.

Holing a bunker shot for an eagle three and then making a 20-foot birdie putt re-ignited his bid, though, and when play was called off for the day Westwood was only one behind joint leaders Mikael Lundberg, Alejandro Canizares and Michael Campbell.

"When you are leading you expect to go off the first tee but now I know it's TV (who wanted it) and that's an important part of professional golf," Westwood said.

"It wasn't the easiest way to start a round but I got my reward for being patient."

As on Friday it was mid-morning before the fog cleared and 1.30pm before the second round was completed.

Both promoter Andrew Chandler - also Westwood's manager - and BBC Sport executive producer Paul Davies argued for a shotgun start to get the leaders back on the course as soon as possible.

But after discussions with European Tour chief executive George O'Grady, chief referee John Paramor said: "We've had the request before and it's never been entertained because it's not professional tournament golf.

"It just does not happen except in pro-ams. In serious tournament golf, no.

"It's very difficult for the public to understand where the players are and there is no correlation between where they are and how many holes to go.

"The score means nothing until everybody is finished. And we are pretty confident that players would not like to be drawn to start on certain holes."

With that request rejected, however, another from TV was agreed to, namely that Westwood, joint halfway leader Alexander Noren and all their nearest challengers start on the 10th hole rather than the first.

With the tee moved forward that meant they were immediately confronted by a decision whether to try for the 230-yard carry into the wind on the reachable par four.

Of the first 36 players Westwood was one of only five who went for the green - but he was slightly left of target and found the water.

Three-putting the next and then failing to get up and down from the rough at the short 12th put a huge dent into his hopes of retaining the title.

However, an eagle came at the 17th and a birdie on the 411-yard first and he had a 10-foot putt at the next to join the lead again when sirens calling off the action were sounded.

South African Charl Schwartzel was the first to take over at the top, grabbing seven birdies in nine holes for a spectacular back nine of 29.

The 24-year-old then went in the water for a double-bogey six at the fourth and just had time to complete a 66.

He was the early clubhouse leader, but also on six under were Westwood, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Ross Fisher.

Earlier Darren Clarke had just failed in a brilliant attempt to make the halfway cut.

An opening 80 on Thursday had left Clarke down in joint 136th place in the 144-strong field, but, needing a 67, he missed by one when a putt from the fringe of the final green trickled past the edge of the cup.

Clarke, controversially left out of last week's Ryder Cup by captain Nick Faldo despite his great record in the match and two wins this season, said: "Missing the cut is not what I wanted, but I didn't want to go to Scotland next week on the back of another bad round."

Before turning his thoughts to the Dunhill Links Championship, however, Clarke had another important occasion to get to - his son Conor's eighth birthday party.

Liverpool's Nick Dougherty, so close to earning a Ryder Cup debut, had high hopes of moving into contention after his opening 70, but a nightmare finish to his second round sent him out of the tournament as well.

One under with three to play, Dougherty bogeyed the 16th and 17th, then crashed to a quadruple-bogey eight on the last. He missed by two as a result.

Graeme McDowell, the only other member of Nick Faldo's side in the event, had survived right on the limit of three over.


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KIM DENIES POULTER BARGE

American Anthony Kim has denied deliberately barging into European Ian Poulter at last week's Ryder Cup.

Poulter was unhappy after believing he had been "body-checked" as he was walking off the 14th tee in Valhalla last Saturday afternoon.

But Kim has offered his version of the event and maintained the collision was a complete accident.

"I was going to congratulate Kenny (Perry)," Kim said.

"Kenny had hit a shot and I was going over there. I wasn't even paying attention and I look up and Ian had just bounced off me.

"I didn't even see him, to be honest. I'm a lot shorter than he is, so I'm not going to throw my elbow into him.

"I wasn't out there to bump anybody. That's not the spirit of the Ryder Cup. This isn't football. I'm sorry he took it personally."

Kim was speaking after shooting a second round 69 at the Tour Championship at East Lake.

He could not repeat the heroics of his opening 64, but a seven-under-par 133 halfway total was enough for a two-stroke lead over Sergio Garcia.

Spaniard Garcia's 65 was the day's best round and quite a comeback after a horrible start to his first round, when he was four over after six holes.

His spirited revival lifted him into position to perhaps gain a little revenge after losing to Kim in the opening singles match last Sunday.

Garcia, of course, downplayed that prospect, but there is little doubt a victory here would be particularly sweet, even if it would not quite make up for losing the Ryder Cup.

"It's a totally different event," said Garcia. "Tomorrow is an important day to give yourself a chance on Sunday. You're not going to win the tournament tomorrow unless you shoot 52."

Not that it is a two-man race, with Phil Mickelson only three shots behind after catching fire on the back nine, gathering five birdies in the final seven holes.

Mickelson has said several times this year that he is thinking of joining the European Tour next year, but he maintained Friday he had not made a final decision.

"I'm not sure on my status yet as far as becoming a European Tour member, but I'm certainly considering it," he said.


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WESTWOOD PLANNING LIMITED SCHEDULE

Lee Westwood's trips to America are likely to be even less frequent next year.

But that has nothing to do with the "shameful" heckling he received at last week's Ryder Cup in Louisville.

The former European number one, now at The Belfry eyeing a successful defence of the Quinn Insurance British Masters title, may miss next February's Accenture World Match Play in Arizona.

"You could go to Tucson, get there on the Monday, practise on Tuesday and then fly home on Wednesday night having shot a 65 and a guy shooting 64 beats you," said Westwood.

In the last five stagings of the event he has gone out in the first round three times and in the second round twice.

"It doesn't really fit in with all the stuff I want to do around it," he added. "It messes up your schedule for the next couple of weeks as well with it being an eight-hour or seven-hour time change.

"At some point you just have to evaluate it. I was thinking about missing it this year but I ended up going."

That was because he played the US Tour event in Los Angeles the previous week, but that is not in his plans either for 2009.

In a pointed dig about how the World Golf Championships have all been taking place in the United States lately, Westwood, no longer a member of the US Tour, added: "I'll wait until they play the world events around the world!"

His only events in America could be the three majors and the other two world championships in Miami in March - "probably" he says on that one - and Akron in August.

Despite feeling "shattered" and "running on empty" yesterday, the 35-year-old added a 70 to his opening 68, but was kept waiting to discover if it gave him the lead going into the third round.

That was because of a three-hour fog delay at the start of the day. Not only did it hold up play, it also meant he missed his daughter Poppy being a scarecrow in a harvest festival.

When play was called off at 7.05pm, Westwood shared top spot with Jeev Milkha Singh. The Indian, one of three players to have a hole-in-one yesterday, had six holes to complete when he resumed this morning.

One behind were Scot Marc Warren, Spaniard Alejandro Canizares, Thai Thongchai Jaidee - all in the clubhouse - and Swede Alexander Noren, who still had four holes to go.

Meanwhile, the likes of Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh could be slightly upping their number of European Tour events next season so they can qualify for the year-ending Dubai World Championship, golf's richest event with a Ј5.4million prize fund plus a bonus pool for those at the top of the Order of Merit.

Asked if he thought the average tour player would resent their showing up to try to take the lion's share of the jackpot Westwood said: "The average player will just have to practise harder and get better."


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MAHAN: FALDO CRITICISM UNFAIR

An American Ryder Cup player has defended Nick Faldo in the wake of criticism of the European captain's performance last week.

Faldo was taken to task in some quarters, with Colin Montgomerie weighing in on Wednesday after not being given a wild card and taking the role of an armchair critic for the first time since 1989.

Hunter Mahan, however, thinks such criticism is way over the top.

"Nick Faldo, who's a Ryder Cup legend, won more points on the European side than anybody (as a player) and they're crucifying him right now," Mahan said on the eve of the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

"That's pretty tough, pretty tough. I think someone said this kills everything he's ever done in his career. I think that's a bit much for a guy who's won six majors and was number one in the world for a long time.

"But he was bold in his picks and bold in his selections. Sitting out (Lee) Westwood and Sergio (Garcia, in the Saturday foursomes) was definitely shocking to us to see that.

"You definitely feel for him, because he definitely doesn't deserve all that."

Fellow American Jim Furyk, who clinched the cup for his team, had a slightly different take, saying that criticism of the losing captain is par for the course.

"I'm not surprised and not because I feel he did a bad job," said Furyk. "I've just seen it happen to our captains for the last three (Ryder Cups).

"It's part of the job. When you take it, you need a thick skin and you need to realise that you're either going to be a hero or a goat.

"I can't remember the last time a captain lost and was applauded for the effort he put in and wasn't widely criticised. You have to realise it's coming.

"We felt for Curtis (Strange) and Hal (Sutton) and Tom (Lehman). These guys poured their hearts into it, put in two years and then we don't play all that well and they get blasted.

"If you can't deal with it you shouldn't take it. But most of those men got to the position they did and got chosen as captain because they took some criticism along the way and it didn't bother them and they thrived anyway."

One neutral party thinks Faldo has been unfairly criticised. Australian Stuart Appleby, who has played in five Presidents Cups, claims the captain has only a minor influence over the result.

The way Appleby sees it, it is not Faldo's fault that Europe's best three players, Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, did not win a match between them.

"I think the British press should be targeting the players more than Faldo," Appleby said.


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HEAD SHOOTS UP LEADERBOARD

England's Samantha Head carded a six-under-par 66 - 10 shots better than her first round - to leap into contention in the Vediorbis Open de France.

The Bedford-based 35-year-old was bogey-free around Le Golf D'Arras as she moved into a share of sixth on two under.

However, that was seven strokes behind Italy's Stefania Croce, who maintained her overnight lead by adding a 68 to her opening 67.

"I didn't play very well yesterday and after the round I slept for a couple of hours in the hotel here and then I hit some balls and worked on my game," said Head, whose round was the lowest of the tournament and lifted her from joint 86th.

"I knew the greens would be quite bobbly this afternoon and the only thing you can do when there have been lots of people on the greens is just trust your stroke.

"I'm just going to do the same tomorrow, trust myself and enjoy it.

"I'm starting to realise that it doesn't really matter what preparation you put in, if it's your day, it's your day and today it was."

Compatriot Felicity Johnson, from Harborne near Birmingham, carded a 72 to join Head in sixth.

Denmark's Iben Tinning won a car for a hole in one at the 14th on the way to a round of 69 and five under for the tournament.

Collated second-round scores (Par 72):

135 Stefania Croce (Ita) 67 68

136 Nina Reis (Swe) 67 69

139 Iben Tinning (Den) 70 69

140 Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra) 67 73

141 Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe) 68 73

142 Julie Greciet (Fra) 73 69, Felicity Johnson (Eng) 70 72, Amy Yang (Kor) 71 71, Lara Tadiotto (Bel) 73 69, Samantha Head (Eng) 76 66

143 Karen Lunn (Aus) 75 68, Jade Schaeffer (Fra) 72 71, Laura Terebey (USA) 73 70, Paula Marti (Spa) 69 74, Lisa Hall (Eng) 74 69, Cassandra Kirkland (Fra) 70 73

144 Trish Johnson (Eng) 73 71, Leah Hart (Aus) 71 73, Julie Tvede (Den) 71 73, Caroline Afonso (Fra) 70 74, Georgina Simpson (Eng) 74 70, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 74 70

145 Laura Davies (Eng) 72 73, Natalie Claire Booth (Eng) 72 73, Kate Combes (Aus) 71 74, Stefanie Michl (Aut) 70 75, Anna Knutsson (Swe) 70 75, Joanne Mills (Aus) 72 73, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 72 73, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 69 76, Carmen Alonso (Spa) 70 75, Anja Monke (Ger) 67 78

146 Cherie Byrnes (Aus) 76 70, Laura Cabanillas (Spa) 73 73, Lora Fairclough (Eng) 74 72, Linda Wessberg (Swe) 72 74, Federica Piovano (Ita) 74 72, Carin Koch (Swe) 74 72, Laurette Maritz (Rsa) 73 73

147 Jehanne Jail (Fra) 76 71, Marta Prieto (Spa) 73 74, Zuzana Kamasova (Svk) 73 74, Jenna Wilson (Sco) 74 73, Dana Lacey (Aus) 73 74, Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 72 75, Maria Boden (Swe) 77 70

148 Florence Luscher (Swi) 76 72, Diana Luna (Ita) 74 74, Rachel Bell (Eng) 73 75, Ana Larraneta (Spa) 72 76, Marion Ricordeau

(Fra) 74 74, Nathalie David-Mila (Fra) 73 75, Lynn Brooky (Nzl) 76 72

149 Anne Norman Hansen (Den) 74 75, Valerie Michaud (Fra) 74 75, Ursula Wikstrom (Fin) 75 74, Martina Eberl (Ger) 74 75, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 72 77, Kirsty S Taylor (Eng) 73 76, Christine Hallstrom (Swe) 76 73, Vicky Thomas (Aus) 74 75, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 76 73, Marina Arruti (Spa) 73 76, Lydia Hall (Wal) 75 74, Miriam Nagl (Ger) 75 74, Sarah Nicholson (Nzl) 78 71

--------------Following players failed to make the cut ----------------

150 Elena Giraud (Fra) 72 78, Sophie Walker (Eng) 76 74, Ana B Sanchez (Spa) 74 76, Martina Gillen (Irl) 74 76, Anna Tybring (Swe) 74 76, Lena Tornevall (Swe) 75 75, Eva Steinberger (Aut) 69 81, Km Juul (Den) 71 79, Emma Cabrera-Bello (Spa) 79 71, Bree Turnbull (Aus) 69 81, Lotta Wahlin (Swe) 72 78, Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa) 73 77, Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 74 76

151 Vittoria Valvassori (Ita) 78 73, Mianne Bagger (Den) 73 78, Clare Queen (Sco) 75 76, Joanne Morley (Eng) 74 77, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 76 75, Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha) 78 73, Bettina Hauert (Ger) 74 77, Elisabeth Esterl (Ger) 74 77, Nicole Gergely (Aut) 74 77, Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor) 73 78

152 Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 73 79, Denise-Charlotte Becker (Ger) 74 78, Rebecca Coakley (Irl) 77 75, Margherita Rigon (Ita) 73 79, Kelly Froelich (Fra) 76 76, Frederique Seeholzer (Swi) 76 76, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 74 78, Natascha Fink (Aut) 75 77

153 Ludivine Kreutz (Fra) 77 76, Stephanie Arricau (Fra) 79 74, Melodie Bourdy (Fra) 75 78

154 Sofia Renell (Swe) 75 79, Bronwyn Mullins-Lane (Aus) 80 74

155 Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 82 73, Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 78 77, Frederique Dorbes (Fra) 78 77, Ellen Smets (Bel) 79 76, Maria Verchenova (Rus) 76 79

156 Katharina Schallenberg (Ger) 76 80, Marjet Van Der Graaff (Ned) 75 81, Itziar Elguezabal (Spa) 78 78, Anna Rossi (Ita) 74 82, Camille Fallay (Fra) 80 76, Morgane Bazin Dejessey

(Fra) 82 74

158 Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 79 79, Elizabeth Mckinnon (Nzl) 80 78, Emilie Alonso (Fra) 78 80, Lynn Kenny (Sco) 77 81, Olof Maria Jonsdottir (Ice) 76 82

160 Anne-Sophie Le Nalio (Fra) 82 78, Julie Berton (Fra) 74 86

161 Frances Bondad (Aus) 83 78

162 Celine Herbin

(Fra) 80 82

163 Jo Clingan (Eng) 82 81

Retired: Becky Brewerton (Wal) 77, Patricia Beliard (Fra) 84, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den)


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CUP TEAM-MATES MAKE POSITIVE START

Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell did a lot better on Thursday on their return from playing in the Ryder Cup than Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie did on their return from watching it on television.

Westwood opened his defence of the Quinn Insurance British Masters at The Belfry with a four-under-par 68 to be only one behind leaders Marcus Fraser and Mikael Lundberg.

McDowell, the only other member of last week's losing team in Louisville to be playing in the Ј1.8million event, had a 72, but Clarke crashed to an 80 and Montgomerie to an 81 - his worst score in Europe for over four years.

The 45-year-old Scot, who pulled out of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne two weeks ago with a shoulder injury, was paired with Westwood.

"He didn't have one of his greatest days," said the Worksop golfer.

"But the rough is thick, the course is demanding and if you miss the fairways it can get away from you very easily."

That did not happen to him, though.

"I felt a bit jet-lagged over the last four holes and my legs started to go a bit, but everything was pretty good.

"My fitness has a lot to do with that. There are no negatives to being fitter."

As well as wanting to retain the title Westwood is looking to close the gap on Padraig Harrington at the top of the Order of Merit.

"It was very special to win it (in 2000) and it would be great to do it again."

Australian Fraser, 115th on the money list and fully aware that only 115 players keep their cards at the end of the season, went to the turn in 31 early in the day.

By holding his position over the back nine the 30-year-old, just back from a trip back home to see his pregnant wife Carlie, set a clubhouse target which only Lundberg, the Swede who won the Russian Open for a second time in July, could match during the afternoon.

They are a stroke ahead of not only Westwood, but also fellow Englishman Sam Walker, Dane Anders Hansen and Argentina's Rafa Echenique.

Clarke's round included a quadruple-bogey eight on the 445-yard sixth, where he put two balls in the water.

"I don't dislike the course, but the only time I've really played well here is in the Ryder Cup," said the Ulsterman.

"That 80 was the absolute best I could do."

Chris Wood, the Bristol 20-year-old who turned professional after finishing fifth in The Open at Birkdale, also returned an 80 and that contained a 10 on the 384-yard 13th. Three drives went flying out of bounds there.

Fit-again Thomas Bjorn, meanwhile, ended a 10-week lay-off with a 69, then spoke about the Ryder Cup captaincy.

The Dane's view is more important than most because he is now chairman of the players' committee which is expected to make a decision early in the new year.

First of all, Bjorn ruled himself out.

"I'm 37. I've got to focus on my playing career. I don't think I was ever in the equation."

As for who takes over from Nick Faldo, he said there was no rush to name the man - and that in itself could bring down the odds on Faldo's assistant Jose Maria Olazabal.

On Sunday Olazabal said he wanted to be back playing in Wales in 2010, but that is dependent on him recovering both his health and his game.

If he continues to struggle for the next few months he might be the preferred choice ahead of Sandy Lyle.

"All doors are open for everybody at the moment. We'll come up with what we think is the right decision - some people might disagree and some people will agree. That's all we can do."

Bjorn has been out with a shoulder injury since the Scottish Open in early July and admitted he was concerned about things.

"It actually took five weeks before I started a little better," he said. "It just seemed to stay the same no matter what I did.

"I've had a lot of physiotherapy and a lot of rest. All in all I'm just glad it's better now - I didn't feel anything today."

He turned down the chance to commentate on the Ryder Cup because he thought it might hurt his preparation for this week, but still feared his rustiness might lead to a score in the high 70s.

Instead, however, he started with a birdie and went on to find four more.

"My short game has always been one of the greatest parts of my game, but it's left me a bit over the last couple of years. It was there today."

Collated first round scores in the European tour The Quinn Insurance British Masters, The Belfry, West Midlands, England

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

67 Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Marcus Fraser (Aus)

68 Sam Walker, Marc Warren, Anders Hansen (Den), Rafael Echenique (Arg), Lee Westwood

69 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Michael Campbell (Nzl), Mikko Ilonen (Fin), Paul Lawrie, David Dixon, Thomas Bjorn (Den), Greg Owen

70 Francesco Molinari (Ita), Robert Jan Derksen (Ned), Nick Dougherty, Graeme Storm, Simon Wakefield, Paul Broadhurst, Michael Jonzon (Swe), Miles Tunnicliff, Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe)

71 Ross Fisher, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha), Anthony Wall, Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Markus Brier (Aut), Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa), Gregory Havret (Fra), Peter Whiteford, David Howell, Phillip Price, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), David Lynn, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra), Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Robert Giles

72 Craig Lee, Alvaro Velasco (Spa), Shiv Kapur (Ind), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Graeme McDowell, David Horsey, Jean Van de Velde (Fra), Simon Dyson, Rory McIlroy, Carl Suneson (Spa), Alexander Noren (Swe), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Julien Clement (Swi), Mark Foster, Bradley Dredge

73 Patrik Sjoland (Swe), Sion Bebb, Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Pelle Edberg (Swe), Pierre Relecom (Bel), Johan Edfors (Swe), Magnus A Carlsson (Swe), Jose-Filipe Lima (Por), Lee Slattery, Iain Pyman, Sam Little, Edoardo Molinari (Ita), Christian Cevaer (Fra), Juan Abbate (Arg), Steve Webster, Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Scott Strange (Aus), Lee S James, Phillip Archer, Paul McGinley, Ross McGowan

74 Martin Erlandsson (Swe), Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Joost Luiten (Ned), Peter Baker, Scott Drummond, Peter Lawrie, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa), Gary Murphy, Alastair Forsyth, Richard Green (Aus), Florian Praegant (Aut)

75 Martin Wiegele (Aut), Anton Haig (Rsa), Jan Are Larsen (Nor), Luis Claverie (Spa), Marcel Siem (Ger), Maarten Lafeber (Ned), Peter Hedblom (Swe), Alvaro Quiros (Spa), Peter Hanson (Swe), David Drysdale, Tommy Fleetwood, Jean-Francois Remesy (Fra), Pablo Martin (Spa), Jyoti Randhawa (Ind), Barry Lane

76 Henrik Nystrom (Swe), Damien McGrane, Gary Orr, Benn Barham, Francois Delamontagne (Fra), Stuart Manley, Carlos Rodiles (Spa), Robert Rock, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par), Tom Whitehouse, Jamie Donaldson, Ignacio Garrido (Spa), James Kamte (Rsa), Peter O'Malley (Aus)

77 Gareth Paddison (Nzl), Matthew Millar (Aus), Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Julio Zapata (Arg), Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den), Oliver Fisher

78 Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra), Thomas Aiken (Rsa), James Kingston (Rsa), Richard Finch, David Higgins, Emanuele Canonica (Ita)

79 David Griffiths, Paul Waring, Stephen Gallacher, Sven Struver (Ger), Pedro Figueiredo (Por), Peter Fowler (Aus), Philip Golding, Richard Sterne (Rsa)

80 Chris Wood, Leif Westerberg (Swe), Robert Dinwiddie, Darren Clarke

81 Joakim Backstrom (Swe), Colin Montgomerie

82 Garry Houston

83 Simon Khan, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa)


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SINGH PREPARES FOR VICTORY MARCH

Vijay Singh has prepared for this week's Tour Championship in a most unusual way - by doing nothing.

Singh, who has a reputation as a workaholic, has been warned by his trainer not to take any risks that could cause an injury in the lead-up to the Atlanta tournament, which starts on Thursday.

That is because he only has to complete 72 holes to be assured of being crowned the FedEx Cup play-off champion, and collecting a healthy US dollars 10million bonus.

"I've been told maybe 100 times, don't run too much and make sure you run on a flat surface and don't over-exercise," Singh said on the eve of the tournament at East Lake.

"It's been kind of strange in a way, your friends, family and trainer saying don't over-exercise. It kind of gets to your head a little bit."

But the 45-year-old from Fiji is not here just to take a ceremonial victory lap, he fully intends to win the tournament as well.

"I want to finish really strong and this will be probably my last event for this season over here," he continued.

"I'm going to go out there and not even worry about the FedEx Cup. I'm going to worry about winning this tournament."

Singh might not be worried about the FedEx Cup, but PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem certainly is.

For the second year in a row, the play-off winner has been all but decided before the Tour Championship - Singh this year and Tiger Woods last year.

Finchem admits the points system must be revamped for 2009 so the play-off winner is decided at the Tour Championship, no matter what happens in the three previous play-off events.

But that is not Singh's problem. Although he is less than five years away from the Champions Tour, he has no intention of winding down his career on the regular tour any time soon.

"I'm not going to go away for the next five years," he said. "If I keep physically fit and injury free, I think I have a good chance to go into my 50s as well.

"But if I cannot compete with the young kids - if I show up and know I'm not going to win or cannot win - then I think it's time to walk away. But hopefully that feeling won't last long.

"My career is still at its peak. I'm going to start figuring how I'm going to come out next year and play even better golf."

Singh is remarkably motivated for someone who has already won more than US dollars 60million in career earnings on the PGA Tour alone.

And he spoke about how his trainer regularly knocks on his door at 6am to take him to the gym.

"That's the discipline one needs to keep going," he said. "I'm in great shape for a 45-year-old, but the older you get, the harder it is to feel younger.

"You've got to work twice or three times as hard and you also have to watch what you work on (because) it's very easy to get hurt. It's a delicate situation."

Singh is part of a 30-man field that does not include a single British player, nor Irishman Padraig Harrington, who failed to qualify after missing the cut in the first two play-off events.

And the past four winners of the event are absent - Woods (2007), Adam Scott (2006), Bart Bryant (2005) and Retief Goosen (2004).

MONTY QUESTIONS FALDO APPROACH

Colin Mongtgomerie has gone public with his views on the Ryder Cup and implied Nick Faldo made some key mistakes as Europe's captain.

Yards from the final green at The Belfry where once they were hugging each other as cup partners - the Quinn Insurance British Masters starts on the course on Thursday - Montgomerie smiled when the subject of Faldo's captaincy inevitably came up at a pre-tournament press conference.

And then the words started flowing from the man who after not being given a wild card was an armchair critic for the first time since 1989.

"Certain things would have been done the same and certain things I feel I would have liked to have changed," said the former cup hero, who revealed that he makes notes every two years in readiness for what is expected to be his leadership of the side at Gleneagles in 2014.

Asked then if he felt as much for the captain as for the players, Montgomerie replied: "Goodness me - oh dear.

"I feel for the players, I do, because I see them and I'm with them. I know what they have gone through and exactly how they feel coming home.

"To answer your question - I can't answer that question."

Next it was how much he felt Faldo was responsible for the defeat and whether he got the best out of the team.

"Going as favourites - proper favourites - and to lose 16 1/2-11 1/2 it's very difficult for me to say.

"I know from hearing from some of the guys and some of what went on that possibly, possibly not.

"The line-up of the singles was very important being 9-7 down. Very important. It had to be absolutely bang-on right."

Faldo gambled by putting top scorer Ian Poulter, most experienced player Lee Westwood and Open and PGA champion Padraig Harrington in the last three positions.

They became irrelevant to the outcome of the match because the Americans started the session so well and had victory in the bag with four games (Graeme McDowell was involved in the other) still out on the course.

"It occurred to me that unfortunately Poulter and Westwood and Harrington are possibly our three strongest players and they might not - might, but might not - be included in the final shake-up.

"If they had been playing higher up they absolutely would have been included in the shake-up of what happened."

Montgomerie in the team meeting could have had the presence of mind to remind everyone else of the 2002 match at The Belfry when Tiger Woods was out last for the Americans and was still playing when Europe were celebrating.

"Number 12 (deciding the issue) has happened once in the whole history of the Ryder Cup since 1927.

"Once in the whole history of the Ryder Cup has number 12 ever mattered and it was (Bernhard) Langer in 1991 against Hale Irwin. That's the only time that number 12 has mattered."

Actually, that is the only time since Europe started taking on the Americans where that was the case. Everything also hung, of course, on Tony Jacklin's halved match with Jack Nicklaus in 1969.

Meanwhile, on the issue of who should captain the 2010 team, Montgomerie gave his support to Sandy Lyle, while this week's defending champion Westwood spoke up for Ian Woosnam returning and Darren Clarke thought that that was "a difficult call".

Westwood is not on the tournament committee which will start discussing the issue next week and probably decide in January, but the other two are.


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WESTWOOD CLARIFIES CRITICISM

Lee Westwood now regrets some of the comments he made about being on the receiving end of crowd abuse during the Ryder Cup defeat in Louisville.

After the United States won by 16 1/2 points to 11 1/2, to reclaim the trophy for the first time since 1999, Westwood revealed he had been abused "from start to finish".

He also said he was disappointed by Azinger's attempts to make the crowd his team's '13th man' by holding a "pep" rally in downtown Louisville and telling him they could cheer when European players missed putts.

However, today he moved to clarify his comments.

"A lot of what I said in Valhalla during and after the Ryder Cup didn't come out quite as I intended and finished up sounding like sour grapes," said Westwood in a statement issued by his management company.

"So let me say right now that I applaud America's victory, Paul Azinger's captaincy in general and the vast majority of the watching public who witnessed a titanic struggle between two very good sides.

"I regret that I singled out a small minority of the crowd who had a go at me and my family during competition days because far and away the greater majority were impeccably behaved and got right behind their team - as did the excellent European supporters.

"My comments about the hecklers and Paul's geeing up the crowd before the event were in no way intended to be an excuse or the words of an ungracious loser because the American team performed brilliantly and fully deserved to win.

"Paul turned out to be a very good captain and both his ideas and tactics were spot on so it doesn't surprise me that there is a move to keep him in that position for the next match in Wales.

"I may not have been too thrilled with one or two things that happened in Valhalla, but I am taking absolutely nothing away from America's win.

"When you're beaten by a better side, you just have to admit it.

"Well done USA. See you in Celtic Manor."

Westwood, defending champion in this week's Quinn Insurance British Masters at The Belfry, said at the conclusion of his singles defeat to Ben Curtis on Sunday he had been abused "from start to finish" during the week.

The 34-year-old did not want to repeat what was shouted at him, but did reveal one was a "particularly nasty reference to my mother" and that his parents had also been woken by a phone call at 4.30am on Sunday.

"They were trying to ring me, but called the wrong hotel. I also got a phone call at 12.30am wishing me good luck.

On Azinger's instructions to the crowd Westwood had said: "That's not the way golf's played. That's what separates golf from every other sport. It's me and my set of clubs against the next guy and his set of clubs.

"Other than the wind and the rain there's no outside agency should get involved.

"It's only a minority, but some people don't know the difference between supporting their team and abusing the opposition. I thought it was a thing of the past.

"The crowds in Europe, if the US team miss a putt there's silence and then a clap because we've won the hole, there's not the clapping and cheering straight away.

"But they were incited to do that. Not by the players at all, I think it's down to the captain. I have to say that."


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AZINGER RETURN STILL POSSIBLE

Paul Azinger will not contemplate returning as United States Ryder Cup captain in 2010 until the dust has settled on this year's matches.

The PGA of America has a one-captain, one-time policy with no-one having led the USA into consecutive Ryder Cups since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949.

Corey Pavin is generally regarded to be the front-runner to captain his country at Celtic Manor in Wales in two years.

Yet having guided the USA to a 16.5-11.5 win at Valhalla on Sunday and securing a first victory for the Americans since 1999, Azinger would be a popular choice among both the players, who bought into his concepts, planning and enthusiasm for the role, and the fans who thronged the Kentucky golf course in the last week and eagerly embraced his call for them to be his "13th man".

Azinger's achievement in revamping the American team's selection policy, shortening the qualification period and extending his captain's picks to four, of which he selected three rookies to go into the contest with six debutants in total, also paid dividends.

The US victory at Valhalla ended a run of three consecutive defeats to Europe with its largest margin of victory since 1981 and was the first time since 1979, the year Great Britain and Ireland incorporated the rest of the continent, that the US led after each session.

Amid chants of 'Zinger in 10' from Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard during the final US team press conference Azinger did not rule out the possibility a return to the role in Wales.

"I'm not going to think about it," Azinger said. "I'm just going to stay up all night and party with my boys."

The PGA of America, which has responsibility for the American Ryder Cup team, is expected to make announcement before Christmas.

"We've selected captains over the past several times before the end of the year," PGA of America spokesman Julius Mason said.

"That's never been set in stone, just what we've done. There's no hurry here."

Aside from Pavin, Davis Love III has been mentioned in the US media as another possible candidate to succeed Azinger, while bookmakers Sky Bet installed Rocco Mediate as their 3/1 favourite for the 2010 captaincy despite Mediate never having won a major or even played in a Ryder Cup, the traditional starting points for consideration.

Azinger, meanwhile, has been reflecting on what a winning Ryder Cup captaincy has meant to him in relation to his major success at the PGA Championship in 1993.

"When I won the PGA, I don't know how many messages I got; I've had a hundred text messages today, maybe more," Azinger said.

"This is bigger to me than anything I've ever been a part of. I just can't tell you, it was the plan coming together and the guys embracing it, and I had to sit back and trust these players to do what they do."


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OLAZABAL TARGETS PLAYING RETURN

Jose Maria Olazabal would rather play in the next Ryder Cup than take over as captain from under-fire Nick Faldo.

The Spaniard spelled out his intentions as the nucleus of the defeated European team flew into Heathrow late on Monday night.

Faldo, originally criticised for selecting Ian Poulter ahead of the in-form Darren Clarke, was subjected to further flak over his playing order for the final day's singles in the 16 1/2-11 1/2 defeat at Valhalla.

But Faldo's 42-year-old vice-captain Olazabal - whose hopes of playing in this year's event were wrecked by his ongoing back injury - feels he could not yet commit to leading Europe at Celtic Manor in 2010.

The Spaniard said: "I told the boys that my intention is that if I get healthy I might hopefully be a playing partner in the next Ryder Cup and then we'll see after that but time will tell."

Olazabal maintains that, even if the European Golf Union asked him, he would be not be in a position to accept any time soon.

"If they wanted a decision by the end of this year, I'm not going to be able to give them that," he said.

"The scenario is that my condition is improving and I'm feeling better. I'm not 100% pain-free but I'm hoping that I might be able to play one or two events at the end of the year to see how the back holds up.

"I'm looking next year to be back playing golf and that's why I cannot give an answer that soon.

Asked to name the possible replacements should Faldo not stay at the helm, Olazabal speculated: "There's a bunch of guys. Sandy Lyle, he's been there and being in Wales another possibility is Ian Woosnam.

"But I think it's early days. We'll have to see what the PGA decides, see what choices we have and then make a decision."

Olazabal admitted that after tasting Ryder Cup success as a player it was difficult watching the side suffer defeat at the hands of the USA in his role as vice-captain.

"I had mixed emotions, I have to be honest about it. I wanted to play, I saw all the boys there playing the matches and I was biting my nails.

"I really wanted to go there and grab a club and hit a couple of shots but, on the other hand, it has been a great experience. I've learned a couple of things that might come in handy in the future.

"Even though we lost I do have a lot of good memories of it."


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CURTIS CLAIMS WESTWOOD SCALP

Ben Curtis produced a strong finish to beat Lee Westwood 2 and 1 in the penultimate match.

Curtis opened with a birdie, but then fell two down as Westwood made birdies at the second, fifth and sixth.

The former Open champ clawed one back with a birdie at seven but Westwood's eagle at 10 saw the Englishman go two up again.

However, back-to-back bogeys by Westwood at 11 and 12 put the match all square before he edged in front again with a birdie at 13.

But with Westwood sensing America were going to prevail regardless of what he did, Curtis responded to the cheers and birdied 14 and 15 to take the lead.

He finished with another at the 17th to secure his first full point of the contest while defeat for Westwood meant the joint top scorer from the last two Ryder Cups failed to register a single win in four starts.


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OLAZABAL EYES PLAYING RETURN

Jose Maria Olazabal still wants to be part of the next Ryder Cup team rather than captain of it.

The 42-year-old Spanish star, who was Nick Faldo's assistant in the Louisville defeat, is seen as a natural leader of the side at a future point.

But Olazabal, who has been struggling with rheumatism and fatigue in the past year, said: "I am still hoping that I will be recovered completely from what I am going through.

"If that's the case I want to be playing. That's where I'm at at the moment.

"Only time will tell how quickly I recover and how well I can play again, but if I'm asked for a decision later this year that might be a little early."

European officials will meet in the next few months to discuss the successor to Faldo, who was in charge for the biggest American victory since 1981 and the first European loss since 1999.

Sandy Lyle has let it be known he is interested and Olazabal commented: "Sandy has done a lot of good things for European golf."

Ian Woosnam, captain for the nine-point victory in Ireland in 2006, gave an interview in which he said that for the first match on Welsh soil - at Celtic Manor near Newport in two years' time - he would consider doing the job again if approached and if the players wanted him.

However, the chairman of the players' committee, which makes a recommendation to the Europe Ryder Cup Board, is now Thomas Bjorn, the man who lashed out at Woosnam after not being given a wild card.

The Dane will be a candidate for the role himself, but is currently only 37, while Paul McGinley, originally a vice-captain to Faldo before resigning to try to make the side, is 41.


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NO REGRETS FOR BEATEN FALDO

Nick Faldo was magnanimous in defeat after seeing Europe slip to a first defeat in four Ryder Cup matches at Valhalla on Sunday.

Heading into the singles matches 9-7 down Faldo's men always faced an uphill task, but were not able to turn the tide as America closed out a 16Ѕ -11Ѕ triumph.

The European captain was quick to pay tribute to opposite number Paul Azinger and his troops, telling Sky Sports: "Congratulations to Paul and his team.

"Their shot-making and putting has been unbelievable so you have to give them credit for that.

"You look at what happens when you come down these final holes - you're talking about the difference being a good shot, a chip, a putt - everyone has given 100% but they were slightly better."

Faldo insisted, though, that he had no regrets over his tactics in the singles draw which saw several of Europe's big guns held off until last - a move that backfired as America clinched victory with four matches still out on the course.

"We've come out maybe one guy short," he continued. "It could have been different if we had got into those last four guys but we took that risk.

"But the whole event has been incredible and it's been great standing next to these guys who are playing on a knife edge and have given everything.

"It's been an awesome week. We should still celebrate - I wanted it to be a great experience and everyone has given their all and we should be proud."

Faldo also revealed he expects Ian Poulter to take his game "to the next level" following his performance for the team.

The Englishman more than justified his wildcard selection as he finished as top European point-scorer and drew special praise from his captain.

"Poults came out here strong mentally, a team man. The guy is a player and could be ready to move his game on to the next level," he added.

"It's about fractions. I'm so proud of my 12 guys. We have come up short but not in pride and spirit.

"We can have a straight back and chin up. We did our best but America this week were just a little better."


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HOLMES CLAIMS KEY POINT

JB Holmes took the United States to brink of Ryder Cup victory with a two and one defeat of Dane Soren Hansen.

After a see-saw encounter it was the big-hitting Holmes who came out on top with a fantastic birdie at the penultimate hole to take his side to 13 and a half points.

Hansen took the early lead but Holmes leveled with a birdie at the third, and another at the fifth gave the American the lead for the first time.

The Danish rookie made the first mistake at the sixth, missing his par putt, but a par at the long seventh was enough after Holmes took six.

The European hung in and was back on level terms courtesy of a birdie at the next, and when Holmes went awry off the tee again the ninth Hansen was able to take advantage and edge ahead.

But the topsy-turvy nature of the match continued as Holmes birdied the next - Hansen missing from five feet for the half - and when the American put his approach to three feet at the 11th he was back in front.

Once more the plucky Dane came back, Holmes missing his putt from close range on 15, but his immense power came to the fore on 16 and 17 - he was able to pitch to within four feet on both holes to set up birdie chances - which he duly converted.


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SUNDAY SINGLES DRAW

(USA names first, all times BST):

1703 Anthony Kim v Sergio Garcia

1714 Hunter Mahan v Paul Casey

1725 Justin Leonard v Robert Karlsson

1736 Phil Mickelson v Justin Rose

1747 Kenny Perry v Henrik Stenson

1758 Boo Weekley v Oliver Wilson

1809 JB Holmes v Soren Hansen

1820 Jim Furyk v Miguel Angel Jimenez

1831 Stewart Cink v Graeme McDowell

1842 Steve Stricker v Ian Poulter

1853 Ben Curtis v Lee Westwood

1904 Chad Campbell v Padraig Harrington


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FALDO EXPLAINS REASONS FOR RESTING DUO

European captain Nick Faldo has explained the reasons behind his decision to rest Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood for the first time in their Ryder Cup careers.

Garcia is unbeaten in foursomes with eight victories and yesterday's half with Westwood, and the duo have been joint top points scorers in each of the last two contests.

Westwood and Garcia had each played in every session of their cup careers until Saturday (27 and 22 consecutive matches respectively) and Faldo's move looked an extraordinary gamble with his side seeking to come back from a three-point deficit after the opening day for the first time.

But ahead of the second day's foursomes at Valhalla the six-time major winner explained: "Sergio was tired. He was on antibiotics last week and he was shot by yesterday lunch-time. Lee has whopping great blisters on his feet from his new shoes.

"This week is a gruelling week on the body. Sergio wanted to be rested. Lee definitely didn't but I wanted him to be. We still have 20 points to play for.

"I wanted to keep players fit and strong. The days of going all five matches in this event...the fewer guys the better."

One area in which Faldo and Westwood were in agreement was in criticising the behaviour of Boo Weekley yesterday, who was trying to whip the crowd into a frenzy.

"The timing is important," Faldo added. "We are more than happy they are creating this atmosphere but when your opponent still has a shot to play and you intentionally pump it up, that's the thing some of the guys were a little bit upset about."


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WESTWOOD BLAST FOR WEEKLEY

Lee Westwood has criticised opponent Boo Weekley for the way he whipped up the crowd into a frenzy as America took a 5 1/2-2 1/2 first day lead at the Ryder Cup in Kentucky.

"You walk a fine line when you start doing that sort of thing," said Westwood, whose two halved matches enabled him to tie Arnold Palmer's record 12-game unbeaten run in cup history.

"I don't mind the arm-waving, but at least wait until you are walking off greens, not when it comes between shots.

"It was interrupting the flow of play and it was slow enough as it was. I didn't say anything to him - it's not my job to tell to the people how to behave - but it gave me a more burning desire to win some holes."

Westwood won the last two holes with Sergio Garcia for a foursomes half against Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry, then he and Soren Hansen took the last to avoid defeat against Weekley and JB Holmes.

Ian Poulter, who with Justin Rose in the afternoon fourballs defeated Ben Curtis and Steve Stricker for Europe's only victory of the day, was asked whether he had witnessed anything similar to Westwood.

"It was close to the mark - I think everybody can see it was a little close to the mark at times."


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WOOD TAKES ROUTE 66 TO THE TOP

Bristol's Chris Wood, top amateur at The Open in July, carded a scintillating third-round 66 to put him back at the top of pack in the European Tour qualifying school stage one The Oxfordshire.

Wood jumped two shots clear of the 76 players who made the cut at two-over-par or better to move to 15 under.

Fellow Englishman Adam Frayne and Scottish amateur champion Callum Macaulay, who both had 70s, are his nearest challengers.

Only the leading 30 and ties at the end of Friday's fourth round will advance from this event and the other qualifiers at Golf de Moliets in France and Italy's Bogogno venue.

At The Oxfordshire, the projected cut-off figure after 72 holes is five-under-par and there are currently 34 players currently at that mark or better.

At Golf de Moliets, 81 players made the cut at three over or better and at Bogogno a total of 84 players advanced with 54-hole totals of five over or better.


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AZINGER: NO WORRIES OVER FURYK

United States captain Paul Azinger said he was confident Jim Furyk would be able to fully participate in this weekend's Ryder Cup, despite his wife being hospitalised on Friday.

Furyk, one of the American team's most senior members with five appearances to date, was forced to cut short his final practice round at Valhalla when wife Tabitha was taken to a local hospital complaining of upper back and neck pain associated with a bulging disc.

"It's not going to be a problem at all," Azinger said.

"I think she fell down last year some time and jarred her neck. It hadn't bothered her for some time but she got a lot of discomfort in her neck from the nerves with the bulging disc.

"The word that I just got was that everything was fine, she was resting comfortably and Jim felt that, as he was hitting it great and he knows the golf course and he was useless for the next five holes, he would see her, give her a big hug and then come back for the opening ceremonies.

"I don't see that as a big deal, everything's fine."


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NICK PICKS FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Nick Faldo may have made a meal of it but his "sandwich list" became his real list on Thursday - and it will be Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson who kick off Europe's bid for an unprecedented fourth successive Ryder Cup victory at Valhalla.

Not, though, against Kentucky pair Kenny Perry and JB Holmes, but against Phil Mickelson and cup newcomer Anthony Kim.

Perry and Holmes are not a partnership at all - not for the opening foursomes at Valhalla at least.

The big-hitting but erratic Holmes sits out the session, while Perry takes over from the injured Tiger Woods as Jim Furyk's partner.

They will play the 'fearsome twosome' of Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood in the bottom match, American captain Paul Azinger being confident Furyk will be a part of the action after taking time out on Friday to visit his wife Tabitha in hospital after she experienced neck pains.

Many thought Faldo would start with Garcia and Westwood, but he said: "It's pretty tough to push a three-time major champion out of his seat."

Harrington, of course, is the reigning Open and US PGA champion, while Karlsson won in Germany last Sunday.

Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey are in the second game against Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan, while Justin Rose does not have to wait for his debut.

Rose partners controversial wildcard selection Ian Poulter, his close friend, against Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell.

The first match starts at 8.05am (1305 BST), with the others following at 15-minute intervals. Afternoon fourballs begin at 12.45pm (1745 BST), with Faldo and Azinger handing in their pairings 45 minutes beforehand.

Resting during the morning for Europe are Miguel Angel Jimenez and rookies Graeme McDowell, Oliver Wilson and Soren Hansen. For the United States it is Ben Curtis, Holmes, Steve Stricker and Boo Weekley.

America have not won the opening session since Kiawah Island in 1991 and the last time they even shared it was 11 years ago at Valderrama.

In the last three matches fourballs have come first. Azinger, as the home captain, has changed that in the hope of improving matters.

Garcia and Westwood, though, bring with them two formidable records - both together and separately.

As a partnership in 2002 and 2004 they have played six, won four, halved one and have lost only to Woods and Davis Love in fourballs.

Garcia has a perfect eight victories from his eight foursomes, while, equally incredibly, Westwood has won his last 10 games - only two short of Arnold Palmer's record unbeaten run in the event.

America, of course, have got nobody to match that - and would not have done even if Woods had been available.

Last time they were home it was Woods and Mickelson who led the way, only to lose first to Harrington and Colin Montgomerie and then to Westwood and Darren Clarke.

Kim is the rising star of their game, twice a winner this year and Azinger said: "Mickelson called me personally and said he'd love to play with him - but so did about six other guys.

"I granted his wish for this first go-around."

Harrington is out to make up for faring as badly as Mickelson did last time - only one half-point from five games at the K Club.

He and Karlsson have still to decide who hits the first shot.

"We have got to do a little bit of thinking on that," said the Dubliner.

"Think about it and see what we are comfortable with. The course seems to set up where it is not obvious to go one way or the other.

"Robert has been playing great all year and he is certainly somebody I looked to play with and he looked to play with me.

"While you can't make too much of a deal out of the first session, momentum is always nice to have on your side."

Rose commented: "Ian and I have a great camaraderie and will find a way to get it done. Our World Cup experience will be a factor and we always felt that we were stronger in foursomes than fourball.

"It is great to see it on paper. We can get the juices flowing and psyche ourselves up. I've been waiting a long time for this."

Faldo said he told the pair the news on Wednesday and "their eyes came alive".

Poulter, preferred to Clarke despite only one top 10 since January (his second place at The Open), added: "I can't wait. It is going to be awesome.

"I have to say I am buzzing. I missed out the last time (2004) on the Friday morning and I really want to be a big factor in this side.

"This has totally made up for the last three or four weeks, which have been tough for me. But I am big enough and ugly enough to keep all of that at bay."

The day could not pass, though, without a reference back to Faldo's piece of paper with pairings on, caught on camera as Europe practised on Wednesday.

Faldo tried at first to say it was just a sandwich list and when he was asked if he had ear-marked certain players to play all five matches.

"I have to put it on my sandwich list. If you see five cheeses next to it then he could be in, four tunas means four matches and chicken is three matches, lettuce is two.

"Lettuce begin!"


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FALDO LAUGHS OFF PAIRINGS GAFFE

FALDO LAUGHS OFF PAIRINGS GAFFE

Nick Faldo found himself involved in 'sandwichgate' at the Ryder Cup - after being caught on camera with an important-looking piece of paper.

Four months after two British government ministers were left red-faced after documents taken to a Downing Street briefing were photographed, Faldo found himself answering questions about whether some of his secrets were out two days before the start of the action at Valhalla.

The paper had pairings on them - Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, then Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson.

Underneath them were the initials of Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Paul Casey, then on the next line Oliver Wilson, Soren Hansen and Miguel Angel Jimenez. Henrik Stenson's name was missing.

Faldo was on the course talking to players and holding the paper when he was alerted by his son Matthew: "Dad, they can see you."

When asked to explain, Faldo said: "It just had the lunch list. It had sandwich requests for the guys, just making sure who wants the tuna, what wants the beef, who wants the ham.

"So that's all it was, sandwich list."

When pressed on the matter, though, Faldo came up with a different answer.

"I haven't put numbers next to them yet, have I? We don't know what order they will go out, so some are safe," he contended.

"And that was on the seventh tee. If the photographer was on the 13th or 14th it all changed, so it's all different now."

Then came a question about the missing Stenson.

Faldo said: "He's on the other side of the piece of paper. The Swedes do it the other way around.

"No, it's tomorrow's pairings. Okay, I've been caught - I learned a lesson.

"You know the pairings and we are going to play foursomes on the front nine."

The match starts with foursomes on Friday morning and both captains have to hand in their line-ups at lunchtime on Thursday.

It would surprise no-one if Westwood and Garcia, successful partners from 2002 and 2004, were put out together - and put out first.

Harrington had been linked with Stenson and Casey, but Karlsson won in Germany last Sunday so that would be a powerful duo as well.

All will be revealed soon, however.

Meanwhile, American captain Paul Azinger has claimed: "I think they have got a couple of spies following us - and that's okay."

On that Faldo commented: "My spies are so secret I don't even know who my spies are.

"Actually I've got dozens watching them."

Azinger also said he has already decided his line-up for both the foursomes and afternoon fourballs.

Since the same three groups were sent out for practice together again today, the pairings are starting to emerge.

Kentucky pair Kenny Perry and JB Holmes played with Jim Furyk and Boo Weekley, Stewart Cink and Steve Stricker with Ben Curtis and Chad Campbell, then Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim with Hunter Mahan and Justin Leonard.

Europe played fourballs and the partnerships then were Poulter and Rose, Stenson and Karlsson, Harrington and McDowell, Casey and Wilson, Garcia and Jimenez and Westwood and Hansen.

Because so long was spent on the course on Tuesday - nearly seven hours in some cases - both captains decided to go easier on their men, many of whom were happy with nine holes only.

(reopens) There was also a photo which showed Stenson's initials under those of Harrington and Karlsson, as if he had been allocated one spot and Faldo was waiting to assign him a partner.

And on that one Casey's name was not there. Maybe it was just before he was put alongside Stenson.


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WEATHER DISRUPTS PREPARATIONS

A television tower and a number of trees were sent crashing by 60mph gusts at Valhalla on Sunday on the eve of the European and American teams' arrival for the Ryder Cup, which starts on Friday.

Much of Louisville was also plunged into darkness when power lines were brought down, resulting in road and air disruption and some schools being closed on Monday.

Kerry Haigh, in charge of the staging of the Ryder Cup, said the television tower fell on the 12th hole.

"The PGA of America is working to clean up all affected areas and is confident that when spectators arrive on Tuesday for the first full practice round, Valhalla will be ready for the biggest event in golf this year," he commented.

The first day of Ryder Cup week is usually the calm before the storm - the day when the final touches are made to months of preparation.

This time, however, it was the storm before the calm.

Hurricane Ike had left a trail of destruction in the southern states of Texas and Louisiana earlier in the weekend, but although it was downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved north and east it continued to cause havoc.

Over 130 roads in the Louisville area had been blocked and with traffic lights out of action jams quickly developed.

The good news for all the thousands of spectators heading to the match - and for the players, of course - was that from the start of official practice on Tuesday temperatures are expected to return to around 25 degrees Centigrade with winds only 5-10mph and little if any rain.

Over 60 per cent of one of the largest electricity company's customers lost power - three times the number of people during a 1974 tornado - and they were warned it could even be out for more than a week.

Police were also advising motorists to remain off the roads to allow emergency vehicles access to necessary locations.

Parts of western Kentucky and southern Indiana declared states of emergency due to the high winds.


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CUP CLEAN-UP AFTER STORM

A clean-up operation was under way at the Ryder Cup venue on Monday after the remnants of Hurricane Ike ripped through Louisville.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency when winds gusting to 90mph on Sunday afternoon caused two deaths - one a 10-year-old boy out mowing the lawn at home when a tree hit him - and left hundreds of thousands without power, possibly for more than a week.

At Valhalla, where Europe start their bid on Friday for an unprecedented fourth successive victory over the Americans, a television tower crashed onto the 12th green.

There were also trees brought down, damage to two rooves in the tented village area and flagpoles bent over.

As most of the European team flew out from Heathrow on a special Virgin Atlantic airbus direct to Louisville championship director Kerry Haigh said: "The clean-up is going well. We have a lot of people working hard to be ready for tomorrow."

Tuesday is the first day of official practice, although JB Holmes,

one of two Kentuckians in the United States side, was already at the course and working on his game.

"I was going to play yesterday, but as I got here a roof blew off in front of the hotel and then a guy told us the power lines were down," said Holmes.

"The wind was about 50-60mph then and I thought that it was not going to do me much to go out on the course.

"You don't see this a whole lot around here. If you have 75mph winds there are not going to be many trees about and there are a lot of them here.

"I heard that the 12th green had some damage on it. There's not much you can do about wind."

The back part of the 12th green had been gouged by crashing metal from the television tower, but by mid-morning replacement sections of turf had already been laid by greenkeeping staff.

Close by two giant signs espousing the spirit of the match lay ripped in tatters on the ground.

The first one on the side of the driving range grandstand quoted Henry Cotton as saying in 1929: "There is something about the Ryder Cup which brings out of the team spirit in golfers. Golfers who normally want only to beat their rivals become, that week, the best of pals."

The other had been on the back of the stand behind the first tee and quoted event founder Samuel Ryder in 1931: "I trust that the effect of the match will be to influence a cordial, friendly and peaceful feeling throughout the whole civilised world."

The death of 10-year-old Frederick Wilson came in nearby Shelby County. A man was also killed by a falling tree in Clark County, Indiana.

Roughly 280,000 people, 75% of customers of the main electricity company, were without power in the metro area of Louisville.

Hotels were plunged into darkness as well and drivers were warned about taking cars onto the roads, not just because of closures caused by trees falling but also because traffic lights were out of action.

At daybreak police were out operating traffic control at busy crossroads.

Louisville's international airport had to be closed for a while and many schoolchildren were told to stay at home on Monday.

Incredibly, one thing did continue uninterrupted near to Valhalla on Sunday.

Despite 75mph winds at the time North America completed a 19 1/2-8 1/2 victory over Europe in the inaugural Humana Fightmaster Cup for one-armed golfers.

American honorary captain Don Fightmaster said: "Both teams played exceptional golf in weather which most people wouldn't even leave the house.

"We can't wait for another chance to play in Wales in two years' time."

The 2010 Ryder Cup is at Celtic Manor near Newport.

His side included some Canadians, which is something people have started suggesting should happen to the United States Ryder Cup side if they crash to another defeat.


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AUSSIE ON TOP IN AUSTRIA

Australia's Karen Lunn shot a six-under-par 66 to lead by one after the first round of the UNIQA Ladies Golf Open, presented by Raiffeisen, in Austria.

Lunn, the 1993 British Open champion, carded six birdies at Golf Club Fohrenwald in Wiener Neustadt to go clear of compatriot Vicky Thomas, Sweden's Emma Zackrisson and Germany's Anja Monke and Denise Charlotte-Becker.

"I've been playing really well over the last few weeks and the scores haven't been reflecting how well I've been playing," said Lunn.

"I have a good feeling on these greens. Even though I didn't hole a lot of putts, I've putted well here before."

Welsh rookie Lydia Hall, Scotland's Clare Queen, Italian Diana Luna, Caroline Afonso of France and Beth Allen of the United States were all two shots off the pace on four under.

The 20-year-old Hall said: "I just played solid golf, hitting fairways, hitting good approach shots and holing putts here and there."

Defending champion Laura Davies' opening 71 left her in a share of 26th.

Davies hit her second shot into the water at the par-five 18th hole but still managed to salvage a par.

"It was a disappointing start and I'm too far back after day one. I played a lot better than that," said the former European number one.

Collated first-round scores (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

66 Karen Lunn (Aus)

67 Anja Monke (Ger), Emma Zackrisson (Swe), Vicky Thomas (Aus), Denise-Charlotte Becker (Ger)

68 Lydia Hall (Wal), Beth Allen (USA), Diana Luna (Ita), Caroline Afonso (Fra), Clare Queen (Sco)

69 Joanne Mills (Aus), Sophie Gustafson (Swe), Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den), Georgina Simpson (Eng), Lisa Hall (Eng), Lynn Brooky (Nzl), Anna Rossi (Ita), Vittoria Valvassori (Ita)

70 Elena Giraud (Fra), Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor), Laurette Maritz (Rsa), Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra), Veronica Zorzi (Ita), Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin), Dana Lacey (Aus)

71 Bronwyn Mullins-Lane (Aus), Claire Coughlan-Ryan (Irl), Melodie Bourdy (Fra), Laura Cabanillas (Spa), Laura Davies (Eng), Nicole Gergely (Aut), Federica Piovano (Ita), Stefania Croce (Ita), Martina Gillen (Irl), Olof Maria Jonsdottir (Ice), Anna Knutsson (Swe), Kirsty J Fisher (Eng), Felicity Johnson (Eng), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Rebecca Coakley (Irl), Kirsty S Taylor (Eng), Jenna Wilson (Sco), Frederique Seeholzer (Swi), Denise Simon (Ger)

72 Nora Angehrn (Swi), Camille Fallay (Fra), Natalie Claire Booth (Eng), Frances Bondad (Aus), Emma Cabrera-Bello (Spa), Lora Fairclough (Eng), Ana Larraneta (Spa), Margherita Rigon (Ita), Daniela Wagner (Aut), Hazel Kavanagh (Irl), Nikki Garrett (Aus), Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra), Sarah Nicholson (Nzl), Maria Boden (Swe), Nina Reis (Swe), Ellen Smets (Bel), Marjet Van Der Graaff (Ned)

73 Cassandra Kirkland (Fra), Jo Pritchard (Wal), Julie Greciet (Fra), Patricia Beliard (Fra), Rachel Bell (Eng), Stefanie Michl (Aut), Natascha Fink (Aut), Miriam Nagl (Ger), Carmen Alonso (Spa), Anne Norman Hansen (Den), Leah Hart (Aus), Marina Arruti (Spa), Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa), Julie Tvede (Den), Joanne Oliver (Eng), Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Cherie Byrnes (Aus)

74 Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin), Martina Hochwimmer (Aut), Anna Tybring (Swe), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), Florence Luscher (Swi), Iben Tinning (Den), Elizabeth Mckinnon (Nzl), Elisabeth Esterl (Ger)

75 Marina Kotnik (Aut), Kate Combes (Aus), Julie Berton (Fra), Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den), Isabella Maconi (Ita), Rebecca Hudson (Eng), Nina Mhl (Aut), Sophie Walker (Eng), Maria), Zuzana Kamasova (Svk)

77 Lynn Kenny (Sco), Wendy Berger (Aus), Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha), Christine Hallstrom (Swe), Katharina Schallenberg (Ger), Bettina Hauert (Ger), Joanne Morley (Eng), Marta Prieto (Spa), Jo Clingan (Eng)

78 Eva Steinberger (Aut), Ursula Wikstrom (Fin), Sarah Schober (Aut), Annamaria Milie (Ita)

79 Anja Purgauer (Aut), Jehanne Jail (Fra), Bree Turnbull (Aus)

80 Sandra Fischer (Aut), Nathalie David-Mila (Fra)

83 Km Juul (Den)


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SWEDE MOVES IN FRONT

KARLSSON WARMS UP IN STYLE

Robert Karlsson survived a nervous finish to warm up in style for next week's Ryder Cup with his first victory for two years in the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

And Europe captain Nick Faldo had further reasons to celebrate with fellow team members Miguel Angel Jimenez, Soren Hansen and Graeme McDowell third, eighth and 16th.

Jimenez finished with rounds of 68 and 66 on the weekend while defending champion Hansen looks in good shape for the fourballs at Valhalla with 20 birdies and three eagles over the four rounds.

Fellow rookie McDowell was less spectacular but it was Karlsson's victory after a three-week lay-off which will have given Faldo the most cause for optimism.

Karlsson began the final day with a three-stroke lead - despite suffering a one-shot penalty after his third round - and carded a closing 71 at Gut Larchenhof for a total of 13 under par and two-shot victory over Italy's Francesco Molinari.

The 6ft 5in Swede had been six clear at one stage but Molinari birdied four holes in a row from the 12th and Karlsson bogeyed the 16th to see his lead cut to just two.

Molinari then left a birdie putt on the 17th agonisingly short of the hole and missed another birdie chance on the last as Karlsson held his nerve to claim the Ј258,000 first prize.

"Hopefully Nick will be delighted," said Karlsson after an eighth European Tour title lifted him to second on the Order of Merit.

"It was a pretty good result for all of us."

Karlsson had not won since the Deutsche Bank Championship, also in Germany, in 2006, but qualified for his second Ryder Cup on the back of nine top-10 finishes this season - including eighth in the US Masters, fourth in the US Open and seventh in the Open.

"It's very nice to win, a great relief and it would have felt a bit strange not to win this season because I've been playing so well," he added.

"It got closer than necessary maybe but I felt there was not much more I could do. All credit to Francesco, he played fantastic the last eight or nine holes.

"I just tried to do my own thing but it's not easy when he is holing putts from 40ft, but in the end it was enough."

Jimenez's final round of 66 was the best of the day and the 44-year-old said: "I'm playing very solid, especially yesterday and today I holed some more putts and it's a nice combination. I feel good and feel like I can make a score and that's a very good feeling.

"I wouldn't mind playing as much as I can next week."

It remains to be seen how often the rookies like Hansen and McDowell feature at Valhalla, but Hansen looks a good bet for the fourballs on Friday afternoon.

"Twenty birdies but 20 bogeys was it?" he joked.

"It was either really fun or a disaster. I've never played a tournament where I have made so many birdies and threw in a few eagles as well.

"I played very good but made a lot of clumsy mistakes to be honest. If I can eliminate those I am right there and hopefully they will be eliminated next week. Birdies in match play are fantastic so if I can keep this going it will be good fun but it's different circumstances next week.

"I am relaxed as I can be, it's obviously going to be very exciting. It's like a dream come true.

"As a kid you're on the putting green as the sun is going down holing putts to win the Ryder Cup and all of a sudden you are actually there so it's very exciting."

McDowell, expected to partner double Open champion Padraig Harrington at some stage next week, added: "It's been hard the last few weeks to think about anything else but next week.

"It's been in the forefront of my mind but I feel as though I am taking my game out there pretty much intact so there is nothing really to worry about.

"It's going to be an exciting few days and there is going to be a lot going on. All I am looking forward to right now is seeing my golf bag with my name on it. I've always dreamed of representing Europe in the Ryder Cup and here we go.

"I think it is going to be a pretty even match-up and we have the firepower to give them a good run and maybe bring the trophy home again."

Collated final round scores & totals in the European Tour Mercedes-Benz Championship, Gut Larchenhof GC, Hahnenstrasse, Cologne, Germany

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

275 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 67 69 68 71

277 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 71 65 70

279 Ross Fisher 68 73 68 70, Michael Campbell (Nzl) 71 70 68 70, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 72 73 68 66

281 Richard Finch 66 73 70 72, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 73 69 67 72

282 Soren Hansen (Den) 73 67 73 69, Marcel Siem (Ger) 72 68 72 70, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 74 70 68 70

284 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 73 70 73 68, Marc Warren 72 69 72 71, David Dixon 72 71 71 70

285 Peter Hanson (Swe) 69 69 73 74, Steve Webster 73 72 68 72

286 Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 72 70 67 77, Graeme McDowell 72 73 70 71, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 73 70 73 70, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 66 71 70 79, Gregory Havret (Fra) 73 74 67 72, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 74 75 68 69

287 Paul Lawrie 70 72 71 74, Richard Green (Aus) 72 72 72 71, David Lynn 73 75 69 70

288 Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 76 72 71 69, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 73 70 72 73, Darren Clarke 76 74 69 69, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa) 80 66 73 69

289 Alexander Noren (Swe) 71 71 72 75, Markus Brier (Aut) 72 74 72 71, Chapchai Nirat (Tha) 70 76 71 72, Johan Edfors (Swe) 74 67 73 75

290 Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 77 72 70, Richard Sterne (Rsa) 70 73 70 77

291 James Kingston (Rsa) 69 73 72 77, Fred Couples (USA) 75 70 74 72

292 Damien McGrane 70 75 75 72, David Howell 76 74 68 74, Ariel Canete (Arg) 73 72 73 74, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 75 75 70 72, Paul McGinley 73 74 71 74, Thomas Levet (Fra) 75 75 70 72

293 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 77 70 75

294 Anders Hansen (Den) 76 76 70 72, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 80 72 72 70, David Frost (Rsa) 71 72 77 74, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 71 73 74 76, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 74 71 75 74

295 John Daly (USA) 73 71 74 77

296 Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 71 73 80 72, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 72 75 74 75

297 Phillip Price 71 76 74 76, Scott Strange (Aus) 74 74 79 70, Peter Lawrie 72 76 74 75

298 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 75 77 75 71, Daniel Chopra (Swe) 78 76 72 72, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 73 75 74 76

300 Bernhard Langer (Ger) 70 76 81 73, Per-Ulrik Johansson (Swe) 73 74 72 81, Simon Dyson 76 74 76 74

301 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 80 75 70 76, Sven Struver (Ger) 72 76 75 78, Alastair Forsyth 74 78 76 73

302 Graeme Storm 75 71 73 83

303 Mardan Mamat (Sin) 76 76 74 77, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 76 75 80 72

306 Stephen Dodd 73 76 78 79, Mark Brown (USA) 76 78 76 76

307 Anton Haig (Rsa) 74 78 81 74, Hennie Otto (Rsa) 77 78 79 73, Retief Goosen (Rsa) 76 76 78 77

310 Oliver Fisher 75 74 80 81

313 John Bickerton 80 76 74 83, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 79 76 79 79, Pablo Martin (Spa) 77 79 80 77

317 Scott Drummond 84 74 81 78

320 Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 77 83 79 81


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