QUALIFYING HIT BY WITHDRAWALS

More than 20 European Tour players have now pulled out of Monday's 36-hole US Open qualifier at Walton Heath.

It is the route used by New Zealander Michael Campbell when he won his first major title three years ago, but since the introduction of the event that season it has always suffered from a large number of withdrawals.

Among those who have decided to skip the chance to compete in the second major of the year are Darren Clarke, former Open champion Paul Lawrie, recent Irish Open and Spanish Open winners Richard Finch and Peter Lawrie and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, currently 10th in the Ryder Cup race.

Clarke made his decision two weeks ago, saying: "My schedule is firmly based around Europe and my goal is to make the Ryder Cup team."

He and others feel that a trip out to California if they made it through the qualifier was not going to benefit them in the coming weeks.

Just over a week ago a total of 76 players were listed for the qualifier, but that is now down to 50 and organisers could well be asking golfers in America who just failed at local qualifying level if they fancy filling the gaps in Surrey.

Around nine places at Torrey Pines will be on offer, so there is now a great chance for the likes of 19-year-old Rory McIlroy and Dubliner Paul McGinley to get there.

For McIlroy, top amateur at last year's Open, it would be a first major in America.

The field also includes one amateur in twice British champion Gary Wolstenholme - he lost a play-off to Phillip Archer two years ago - but Danny Willett's decision to turn professional last week means he cannot now take part.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, Oliver Wilson, Robert Karlsson and Martin Kaymer no longer need to be there after earning exemptions at last week's BMW PGA Championship.


Nedved could stay at Juve
Ujfalusi not England bound
WILLETT TURNING PRO

STRANGE STILL IN COMMAND

Australian Scott Strange, a complete stranger to the vast majority of golf fans in Europe, remains in control of the Wales Open with a day to go at Celtic Manor.

Strange, whose best Tour finish on European soil before this week was 10th, has led since an opening 63 and after being four clear at halfway is now three ahead after a third-round 69.

Rookie Spaniard Alvaro Velasco, no household name himself at world number 305, lies second on 12 under following a 68, while a stroke further back are Indian Jeev Milkha Singh, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and in-form Swede Robert Karlsson.

England's Nick Dougherty believes he is back on course to earn a Ryder Cup debut in September after he returned a 67 to move up to 10 under and joint sixth place. While a third Tour victory is still a tall order he is delighted with how he is playing just a month after the death of his mother.

"I feel a lot better after these three days," he said.

"Things have been going on off the course with the loss in our family, but I'm optimistic again.

"I was starting to get worried about the state of my game, but I played awesome today and it's so long since I played that freely."

Part of the possible reason for that, the 26-year-old from Liverpool believes, was a decision not to look at leaderboards, but he hopes there will be a stage late on in the final round when there is a need to know.

Dougherty will be at the US Open the week after next and looking for at least a repeat of last year when he led after the opening day, coped well when paired with Tiger Woods in the third round and finished seventh.

Exempt for Torrey Pines because of that, he admits he is surprised by more than 20 players pulling out of Monday's qualifier at Walton Heath.

"Everybody has their own plans, but I've always wanted to play in a major and I remember the feeling of euphoria when I got through there for my first major."

Darren Clarke is among those who has decided not to try to qualify, preferring to stay in Europe as he too bids for a Ryder Cup spot.

The Ulsterman also shot 67 to be on eight under, but Colin Montgomerie is still struggling to find his best form and a 73 dropped him from 18th to 46th and out of it at three under.

Strange, 164th on the world rankings, did what he had to do, picking off birdies at three of the par fives and hitting back from a bogey on the short third with a superb approach to four feet at the 461-yard next.

Another dropped shot at the driveable par-four 15th gave the chasing pack more hope, though, as will the fact that he covered the last seven holes in one over when presented with a chance to put one hand on the trophy.

Karlsson, the 2006 champion, has finished third in each of the last three tournaments, but will be desperately keen to do better than that after three-putting the final green from three feet in the BMW PGA Championship last Sunday when a birdie would have put him in a play-off.


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New Jags coordinator stays away from Skins talk
DINWIDDIE SEES FLAG MIX-UP AS OMEN
WIE HAPPY WITH OPENING ROUND

WIE HAPPY WITH OPENING ROUND

Michelle Wie shot a four-under 68 in the first round of the German women's Open at Golfpark Gut Hausern in Munich.

The 18-year old American finished four strokes behind the early leader Nina Reis of Sweden. Britain's Lora Fairclough shot 66 with compatriot Natalie Booth on 67.

Wie birdied three of her first five holes but failed to take advantage on the par fives. She birdied the par-four 17th coming in.

"I would take another three-under-par on the first five holes any day," said Wie, who added that she feels she has lost some of her length since hurting her wrist last year.

"I'm still in the rehab process just really building up to what I had before. It's definitely on the right track.

"I felt like I played really well but I felt like I left a couple out there as well, especially on the par fives.

"I think overall I'm pretty happy with how I played. I played consistently. It just has to get better each and every day."

The event is the first on the women's European Tour to be held in Germany in seven years.


Happy Ramos flattered
PETTERSEN EQUALS COURSE RECORD

DINWIDDIE SEES FLAG MIX-UP AS OMEN

England's Robert Dinwiddie did not realise until Friday that against his name in the European Tour media guide flies a Welsh flag.

The 25-year-old from Durham is taking it as a lucky omen. After a second round 65 he is challenging for a first Tour title in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

Dinwiddie is the player - born in Scotland actually - who at Wentworth last week followed a first round 78 with a course record 63 and then finished with two 79s.

"I normally like to think of myself as being fairly consistent," said the Tour rookie.

"But this year has been fairly up and down. I think I'm just finding my feet to be honest.

"Even though the scores wouldn't have said so, I actually came here feeling pretty good about my swing."

There was no question what was Dinwiddie's shot of the day, a 270-yard three wood over the water to six feet for a closing eagle three.

"I didn't actually hit that good a drive and I was debating whether or not I was going to go for it.

"But placing the ball (preferred lies have been in operation on the sodden fairways) you can get a perfect lie and although it was on a slight down slope I knew when I hit it that it was going to be close."

The former Walker Cup player, who graduated through last season's Challenge Tour after failing to make it at the 2006 qualifying school, has already had a third place finish in China and a sixth in Spain.


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CLARKE: CHINA IN MY HANDS

THE MEMORIAL INSIDE TRACK

Muirfield Village Golf Club, home of The Memorial Tournament, was designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1976.

During his prime Jack Nicklaus was amongst the longest hitters on tour and his characteristic ball flight was the 'power fade'. He was known for his excellent course management skills, iron play and putting.

The design of Muirfield Village reflects Jack's playing style. The fairways are wide and many of the tee shots favour a left to right ball flight. There are short par fours and reachable par fives which can reward the long drivers of the ball.

The greens are small and contoured and it is a second shot golf course that demands accurate iron play. Well placed bunkers and testing rough require the players to think their way round the course and constantly shape shots to the correct parts of the fairways and greens.

It is no surprise that Jack won his own tournament in 1977 and again in 1984.

He has constantly tinkered with the venue to ensure it plays true to the original design in spite of changes in technology. Over the years he has added yardage, deepened bunkers, reshaped holes and narrowed the fairways to 26-28 yards.

Apart from continual drainage and erosion programmes there have been no changes to the course since last year.

The drainage has been an important undertaking because many times in the past wet conditions have made the course very accessible to scoring. Jack is not preoccupied with par and believes a good golf course should give up good scores in perfect conditions but he wants a faster golf course which will truly test the players' skills.

The course is in great shape and Jack said; 'My goal has always been to have the golf course fast. If we don't get much rain I think you're going to find a very fast and very demanding golf course. We prepare it as close as we can to what you think you would have a major championship on.'

After a wet spring the three inch rough is thick and consistent. Sergio Garcia feels; 'If you miss a fairway, it's going to be a bit of a struggle. The rough is quite thick. Unless you get quite lucky, it's quite difficult to get it to the green with more than a seven or six iron.'

After his practice round defending champion K.J. Choi noticed; 'The rough around the greens is two times longer than what it was last year. So it's going to be very tough if you miss the greens. Jack was right when he said, 'I don't think the guys will enjoy hitting out of the rough this week.'

The 2006 tournament saw the introduction of rough raking the bunkers.

The idea is that rough raking creates furrows which can cause indifferent lies in the bunkers making them once again a penalty rather than a pleasant break from the rough. It forces players to think off the tee rather than 'grip it and rip it'.

Jack feels; 'You might get a bad lie which forces the players to strategize.' This year only the fairway bunkers will be rough raked.

Indeed the players are forced to think their way around course and K.J. Choi believes that can only come from local knowledge and experience; 'I know where to hit it and I know where I shouldn't hit it. I think that gives me a lot of advantage and even on the difficult holes I know how to approach them.'

Below are the hole averages from last year.

HoleYardsParSc AvRank

147044.0974245543.97111340143.92913420033.09117552754.62617644743.92614756354.61118818532.94012941244.03483,6603635.2251047144.16031156754.820151218433.09151345543.989101436344.04671552954.706161621533.02391747844.17121844444.26013,7063636.266727,36671.491

It is a testament to the course design that players with totally contrasting golf styles from Fred Couples to Jim Furyk are on the roll of champions. In 2006 Zach Johnson and Brett Wetterich shared second place!

The mix of fast conditions, penal rough and fairways bunkers make the course a level playing field. Jack feels; 'The shorter hitter and longer hitter is sort of balanced.'

The course provides a solid all round test of golf and only players at the top of their physical and mental game will contend this week.


Schalke stay on track
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BYRON NELSON INSIDE TRACK

MONTY BACKS RYDER CUP CHANGES

Colin Montgomerie on Thursday made out a case for the Ryder Cup to be staged over four rather than three days.

The 44-year-old was speaking after a 69 in the opening round of the Wales Open at Celtic Manor's new Twenty Ten course.

The lay-out is the one on which the first cup match on Welsh soil will be staged, but a fog delay of 105 minutes at the start of this week's tournament was a reminder of the problems that Europe and America's players could face in October 2010.

Montgomerie said: "There's a river here and the temperature between rivers and land causes fog.

"There could be delays here. We risked it in Ireland and we just got away with it. We have a problem obviously here and also at Gleneagles (the 2014 venue) and we just pray that him upstairs is good to us."

Asked about switching to a four-day format as used in the Seve Trophy and Presidents Cup, the Scot commented: "I think it's almost got to that stage where two rounds a day we all seem to be rushing around, packing it in, for what reason really?

"I've been running around changing rooms in Ryder Cup and trying to get new clothes and stuff and shoes and socks after I've been soaked in the morning and having to do it again in the afternoon.

"For what reason? I think the Seve Trophy could show us a thing or two, where we have the two fourballs on Thursday and Friday (one series each day) and it would also give more opportunity for more players to play.

"To rush around to get everything in within three days...hey, it (a Thursday rather than Friday start) is an extra day of advertising, an extra day of television."

The intensity of the current format is, for many, part of the excitement and while Montgomerie agrees with that he added: "I think the days have come where to get people around twice in a day is very hard work, especially round places as vast as these are.

"So the Ryder Cup over four days I think everybody benefits."

He also pointed out how arduous it will be for fans during the week of the match.

"Good luck to the spectators, that's all I can say. To get 50,000 people up and down here will be a great effort, an art. Thank God that's not my job.

"There are a couple of things that you see that you're fearful of, a couple of single-track roads around the place where there's always going to be a head-on."


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FALDO BACKS RYDER CUP HEALTH PLAN

AZINGER OUTLINES RYDER CUP PLAN

United States Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger will ask his players who they would rather not play with in September's showdown with Europe.

Azinger admits he once did not want to play with a certain team-mate and will try to avoid any similar personality clashes at Valhalla in Kentucky.

"My first question is, is there anyone on the team you just don't want to play with?" Azinger said on the eve of the Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village.

"There was one Ryder Cup team I played on where there was one guy I just didn't really want to play with. I think that's just human nature. You might have had a run-in with that guy."

Azinger, who did not name the team-mate in question, also made several other revelations during a lengthy press conference, including:

: He will use a captain's pick to select anyone who wins on the PGA Tour in the month before the team is finalised.

: He plans, on the advice of Jack Nicklaus, to take a somewhat hands-off approach to his players.

: He hopes to have the course set up to favour the American team.

: He wants Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to assume leadership roles.

After five defeats in the past six Ryder Cups, Azinger has persuaded the PGA of America to make two significant changes to how the American team is selected.

Not only will the captain have four captain's picks, double the previous number, but he will not have to name them until early September, three weeks later than usual, and only two weeks before the Ryder Cup.

"Anyone who wins a tournament (after the USPGA) is probably going to get on," Azinger added. "Anybody who wins after the PGA is probably going to be pretty confident three weeks later.

"The great intangible, the thing you look for out here as a player and hope to attain, is confidence. Everybody can play but the guys that are the most confident play the best.

"If a guy wins three weeks in a row on the (secondary) Nationwide Tour, and I'm picking the next week, I would be an idiot not to pick that guy. He's just won three weeks in a row on a really hard tour. How could I not pick that guy?"

Azinger also promised not to micro-manage his players.

"I'm dealing with the 12 best professional (American) golfers in the world," he continued.

"If I go in there thinking I've got to hold hands, what chance do we have? I'm not holding any hands. They're all big boys."

As for the course set-up, he has not quite figured out how exactly it can favour his team, but should have more of an idea once the side if finalised.

"I don't know how to get an advantage at this point (but) it would be irresponsible of me not to try to find a way to gain some sort of an edge, if that's possible. If I can find it, I'll try to get it."

Azinger was speaking on the eve of the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial, one of the premier events on the PGA Tour.

This year's event will lack Tiger Woods, who continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery, as well as Adam Scott, who has been under the weather lately, but nearly all of the other big names are present, headed by world number two Phil Mickelson, fresh from Sunday's victory at Colonial.

KJ Choi is defending champion but he has been out of form recently, missing the cut in his past two starts.


Emphatic win for Wolfsburg
FALDO AND AZINGER MEET
FALDO: IT WON’T BE A ROUGH RYDER

TIGER 'ON SCHEDULE' FOR US OPEN

World number one Tiger Woods is confident he will be fit to play in the US Open at Torrey Pines next month.

Woods, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, admits his rehab work has been boring but claims he is "on schedule" for the year's second major starting on June 12.

"The rehab is working," he said. "It gets really old riding that bike, but everything is on schedule.

"I'm just trying to get this thing organised for the Open. I'm right on schedule for that."

Woods has not played since finishing second to Trevor Immelman at the US Masters last month, undergoing surgery on his left knee two days after leaving Augusta.

The 32-year-old has already withdrawn from this week's Memorial tournament and claims he will not participate in next week's Stanford St Jude Championship.

"I started my practice just recently," he said. "So going to Memorial that rusty, it wouldn't have made any sense.

"I wasn't sharp enough. I didn't hit all my shots I needed to hit yet at home and make sure everything is organised. I wasn't quite ready.

"No sense in going there not ready. The whole idea is to be ready for the US Open."


Winslow’s absence felt as Browns open practices
WOODS GOES UNDER KNIFE

JIMENEZ WINS PLAY-OFF

Cigar-smoking, wine-drinking Miguel Angel Jimenez achieved the biggest victory of his long career at Wentworth - and left England's Oliver Wilson the nearly man yet again.

The 44-year-old Spaniard, having holed in one earlier in the day, collected the record BMW PGA Championship first prize of nearly Ј600,000 with a two-putt birdie four on the second hole of a play-off.

"This is my 20th season on Tour and it's a nice present," said Jimenez, who as a result sits proudly at the top of the Order of Merit and will almost certainly earn his third Ryder Cup cap in September.

Wilson, who would have headed the money list himself if he had triumphed, has now been a runner-up no fewer than seven times, including four this season, and the Mansfield 27-year-old has yet to taste success.

This one will hurt more than most. It was his third play-off loss and a fine bunker shot at the first play-off hole had given him a putt to win after Jimenez had three-putted from the back fringe, but his seven-footer lipped out.

Then, when they played the long 18th for the third time in the day, he found the right-hand rough just as he had on his first visit and a 12-foot birdie attempt missed as well.

With one hole to play Wilson and Jimenez, seeking to be the third oldest winner of the title after Dai Rees and Arnold Palmer, were one ahead of overnight leader Robert Karlsson.

Wilson was in the group ahead and by missing a 15-foot birdie chance - he will certainly have no fond memories of the green - opened the door.

Jimenez was favourite when he was in the rough just right of the green in two, but then fluffed his chip.

A three-way tie was on the cards then with Karlsson only three feet from the flag with his pitch, but while Jimenez got up and down to tie Wilson on the 11-under-par mark of 277, the Swede not only fluffed his chance, but missed the next one as well.

That made him third for the third week in a row and this time in a tie with England's Luke Donald, who had begun the last day nine adrift of him and shot a best-of-the-day 65.

Karlsson had come from four behind to four ahead in the third round and, although he warned the same thing could happen to him as it did to Paul McGinley, nobody expected him to be in that position by the 12th tee.

Incredibly, his lead went in the opening stretch. While he bogeyed the first and third, Wilson birdied the third and fourth.

Jimenez matched those two birdies and then, after Karlsson had gone ahead again, the Malaga golfer grabbed top spot with the sixth ace of his Tour career with a four-iron to the 212-yard fifth.

He and Wilson both turned in 31 to Karlsson's 37 and when they both birdied the long 12th they were three clear of the chasing pack.

Wilson bogeyed the 13th after going just over the green and missing from eight feet, but sank a 25-footer two holes later and was ahead when Jimenez, after two great saves, blundered by missing from less than two feet on the same green for a three-putt bogey.

However, a wild drive down the 17th finished in a bush and after taking a penalty drop, Wilson could do no better than a bogey six.

Karlsson's last-green shocker meant he and Donald each earned just over Ј200,000. Indian Jyoti Randhawa was fifth and that was worth more than Ј150,000.

A week that promised so much for McGinley at halfway - his 13 under total was a tournament best - fell away badly. He could have gone top of the money list as well, but finished only joint 10th.

Meanwhile, the 30th place achieved by Alastair Forsyth had significance because it makes him and not Colin Montgomerie the leading Scot in the world rankings.

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

277 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67 72 68 Oliver Wilson 70 66 73 68 (Jimenez won play-off at 2nd extra hole)

279 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 66 69 70 74, Luke Donald 72 69 73 65

280 Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 73 68 69 70

281 Alexander Noren (Swe) 75 68 71 67, Andres Romero (Arg) 72 69 73 67, Richard Green (Aus) 70 69 73 69, Retief Goosen (Rsa) 76 69 70 66

282 Paul Casey 71 68 73 70, Steve Webster 71 70 72 69, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 71 65 76 70, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 72 66 74 70, Paul McGinley 65 66 79 72, Simon Khan 71 71 71 69

283 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 68 70 72 73, Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 67 74 71, Peter Hanson (Swe) 72 71 70 70, Gary Orr 70 68 73 72, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70 71 71, Oliver Fisher 71 73 69 70

284 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 71 73 72, Marc Warren 69 70 75 70, Paul Lawrie 72 73 70 69

285 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 70 70 76 69, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 75 69 73 68, James Kingston (Rsa) 72 71 71 71, Carlos Rodiles (Spa) 72 71 70 72, Simon Dyson 75 67 73 70

286 Alastair Forsyth 72 70 72 72, Miles Tunnicliff 70 65 77 74, Sam Little 74 68 73 71, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 72 69 74 71

287 Soren Hansen (Den) 76 66 73 72, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 70 73 68 76, Peter Lawrie 73 72 70 72, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 67 69 76 75

288 Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 72 71 71 74, Gregory Havret (Fra) 70 74 73 71

289 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 71 69 75 74, Damien McGrane 72 66 77 74, Anders Hansen (Den) 75 69 77 68, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 67 76 74 72, Simon Wakefield 68 71 77 73, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 74 70 74 71

290 Henrik Nystrom (Swe) 72 72 70 76, Sam Walker 75 68 72 75, Alvaro Velasco (Spa) 69 76 71 74, Garry Houston 68 74 75 73, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 73 72 72 73, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 73 70 74 73, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 71 72 74 73

291 Jamie Donaldson 72 72 74 73, Nick Dougherty 70 73 76 72, Ariel Canete (Arg) 74 71 71 75, Paul Broadhurst 72 71 74 74

292 Graeme McDowell 70 73 75 74

293 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 69 76 75 73, Mark Foster 72 70 73 78, Thomas Levet (Fra) 74 71 73 75, Johan Edfors (Swe) 71 74 73 75

294 Anton Haig (Rsa) 70 75 75 74

297 David Howell 70 71 77 79, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 73 68 74 82

298 Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 70 72 79 77, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71 73 78 76

299 Robert Dinwiddie 78 63 79 79

300 Ross Fisher 72 73 80 75, Matthew Morris 71 74 76 79

302 Ross McGowan 73 72 74 83


Heskey: Valencia Good Enough For United
CONSOLATION FOR WILSON
JIMENEZ FOCUS TURNS TO RYDER CUP

JIMENEZ ON THE UP

Miguel Angel Jimenez is up 20 places to 21st in the world thanks to his BMW PGA Championship victory, while runner-up Oliver Wilson leaps 30 spots to a career-high 45th.

Phil Mickelson's latest win in America, achieved with a remarkable closing birdie, brings him just over 10 points behind world number one Tiger Woods.

Colin Montgomerie is down to 95th after missing the halfway cut at Wentworth and has lost his position as Scotland's top player to Alastair Forsyth.

Latest leading positions:

1 Tiger Woods 20.21pts, 2 Phil Mickelson 10.19, 3 Ernie Els 5.95, 4 Adam Scott 5.85, 5 Geoff Ogilvy 5.47, 6 Steve Stricker 5.40, 7 Jim Furyk 5.29, 8 KJ Choi 5.24, 9 Vijay Singh 5.16, 10 Sergio Garcia 5.15

11 Justin Rose 5.02, 12 Padraig Harrington 4.94, 13 Stewart Cink 4.87, 14 Henrik Stenson 4.85, 15 Rory Sabbatini 4.70, 16 Trevor Immelman 4.32, 17 Luke Donald 4.06, 18 Aaron Baddeley 3.95, 19 Anthony Kim 3.88, 20 Lee Westwood 3.64

Other leading Europeans:

21 Miguel Angel Jimenez, 27 Ian Poulter, 29 Niclas Fasth, 30 Robert Karlsson, 35 Martin Kaymer, 39 Paul Casey, 45 Oliver Wilson, 50 Soren Hansen, 56 Nick Dougherty, 65 Anders Hansen, 69 Graeme McDowell, 76 Soren Kjeldsen, 77 Daniel Chopra, 79 Peter Hanson, 80 Steve Webster, 84 Bradley Dredge, 86 Carl Pettersson, 87 Fredrik Jacobson, 92 Alastair Forsyth, 94 Simon Dyson, 95 Colin Montgomerie, 99 Peter Hedblom


Heskey: Valencia Good Enough For United
WEEKLEY AT CAREER HIGH
SERGIO BACK AMONG ELITE

JIMENEZ FOCUS TURNS TO RYDER CUP

Miguel Angel Jimenez has promised captain Nick Faldo he will give him "120%" if he is part of Europe's bid for a fourth successive Ryder Cup victory in September.

The 44-year-old Spaniard is nearly Ј600,000 richer after capturing the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sunday, a victory that swept him to the top of the Order of Merit and up to third in the cup standings.

Beating England's Oliver Wilson at the second hole of a play-off gave Jimenez his 15th Tour win, eight of which have come since he turned 40.

His career earnings on the circuit now total over Ј12million, more than any other continental player.

"You just relax yourself, enjoy yourself and that's the most important thing," said the Malaga golfer when asked for a reason for his late blooming.

"I'm very calm, very experienced. I think Nick Faldo will be very pleased. I told him the other day 'I hope I can be in your team' and he said 'I hope so too'.

"I am a player who can fit with anyone and one thing is guaranteed - I am going to give it 120%."

Eleven years ago Seve Ballesteros had Jimenez as his assistant at Valderrama. It looked then as though it might be his only involvement in the match, but in 1999 he made his debut in Boston and he played again in Detroit in 2004.

Whether Wilson earns his first cap in Louisville remains to be seen, but first the 27-year-old from Mansfield desperately wants to show he can win.

Wentworth was his second runners-up finish in three weeks, his fourth of the season and his seventh in all.

So while it did lift him to second on the money list with almost Ј830,000, to seventh in the cup race and into the fields for both the US Open and Open Championship, Wilson's over-riding feeling was disappointment.

One ahead with two to play after Jimenez had missed from two feet to bogey the 15th, the former Walker Cup player drove into a bush and bogeyed the long 17th, then had to play the 538-yard 18th three times and missed birdie putts of 15, seven and 12 feet.

The middle one of those hurt most because he knew it was to lift the trophy.

"I was 100% that I was making it. I have not been that confident over a putt ever," commented Wilson. "I just hit it a little too hard, that's all.

"I had three putts on that last hole (all from a similar line) and they have all done something different.

"Second in this is a good result (he took home almost Ј400,000), but you're not going to get given a lot of chances to win a tournament like this.

"It's the biggest one we play in apart from the majors."

Swede Robert Karlsson left feeling down too. Four ahead with a round to go, he fell four behind with seven to play but had a three-foot putt on the last to join Wilson and Jimenez in the play-off.

Not only did he miss it, he also missed the next one and the closing bogey six put him joint third for the third week in a row, this time tied with Luke Donald after his closing 65.

Karlsson is sixth in the cup table, but he too wants some silverware soon. In November he double-bogeyed the final hole of the Hong Kong Open to lose to Jimenez.


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CONSOLATION FOR WILSON

CONSOLATION FOR WILSON

Oliver Wilson reflected on yet another near miss, and then discovered he had at least won something - a place in next month's US Open.

The 27-year-old from Mansfield recorded his seventh runners-up finish on the European Tour when he lost to Miguel Angel Jimenez at the second hole of a play-off for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

There was a difference of almost Ј200,000 between coming first and second, but a cheque for nearly Ј400,000 was still enough to take Wilson from 11th to second on the money list and into the field for Torrey Pines.

The former Walker Cup player, with three play-off losses against his name now, missed a seven-foot putt to win on the first extra hole.

He also missed birdie putts from a similar line on the 72nd hole from 15 feet and at the second hole of sudden death from 12 and added to the criticisms of the greens during the week when he commented: "They've all done something different.

"I was 100% confident I would make the putt. I've not been that confident over a putt ever. I cannot believe that I missed it. I thought it was my time.

"It hurts a little bit. I had that chance. I played great all week and I gave myself a chance, so I'm a little disappointed.

"But it won't be long. I wanted to compete in this tournament, which is the biggest one we play in apart from the majors, and that's sort of the next progression."

Jimenez, who has had eight of his 15 Tour wins since he turned 40, said: "It's great, fantastic.

"Mentally I am very nice. At my age you just relax, enjoy yourself and that's the most important thing."

He is now third in the Ryder Cup standings, and added: "I think (captain) Nick Faldo will be pleased. I am very calm, very experienced and one thing is guaranteed - I am going to give it 120%."

Wilson has also earned himself a spot in the Open in July by climbing into the world's top 50, while the three places on offer from the Order of Merit have been taken by England's Richard Finch and Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Damien McGrane.


Away win for Bochum
JIMENEZ FOCUS TURNS TO RYDER CUP
PLAYERS GLORY FOR GARCIA

DOUGHERTY ANGERED BY ALLISS

Nick Dougherty on Sunday criticised television commentator Peter Alliss for his remarks about the standard of play during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The 25-year-old from Liverpool, who as one of the early starters in the third round, found himself watching the BBC's coverage as the leaders battled with a swirling wind and bumpy greens.

"I thought it was very sad. In fact, I thought it was disgusting," said Dougherty of Alliss' criticism.

"He was talking about us being bad putters. I don't know whether it's because he has been out of the game for so long, but I didn't think it was right and he ought to show us more respect.

"I wish we could take him out there and show him how difficult it was. In Match Play week (October) the greens are stunning, but the seeding at this time of year makes the putts wobble about."

The state of the greens has been a hot topic of debate all week - even before the event with Ian Poulter saying he was playing in America rather than in the European Tour's flagship tournament because he had never been able to putt well at Wentworth.

A few years ago Retief Goosen threatened never to return because of the greens. He shot a 66 for seven under today, but then stated: "This is about as good as I can do around this place."

During today's broadcast Alliss, a former Ryder Cup player who in the 1953 match at Wentworth lost a vital singles, said: "We would be doing our viewers a disservice if we didn't attempt to tell them how it is.

"I have great admiration for those who can play and those who can adapt. I realise how difficult it is, perhaps more than most. I have played on courses like this and you have to change tack."

Meanwhile, George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, and Wentworth managing director Julian Small said that talks will take place about the club's greens.

"We have never stood back from investing on the course," said Small.

"You've always got to look at how you move forward. We don't stand still - everything about us is about moving forward."

O'Grady commented: "We don't hide away from things that aren't perfect. There has been a lot of work put in by Wentworth Club, so it's very disappointing for them not to deliver it.

"I've had a couple other greenkeepers here this week who reckon the conditions were particularly difficult when it became very warm after some moisture and the different grasses grew at different speeds.

"I think what we're facing here is something that we all put our best efforts into for a year and really attack this problem. Certainly I don't see we need to consider moving for next year."

On the television coverage O'Grady added that he had no yet seen all the tapes, but added: "I make it my business to look at it. If I in any way have a problem I discuss it with the head of the BBC first."


Milan deny Drogba talk
DOUGHERTY MOURNING MOTHER
PAYNE PLEASED WITH BRIEF RETURN

MICKELSON PONDERS EUROPE EXCURSION

Phil Mickelson has refused to rule out defecting to the European Tour in the future.

The world number two has reportedly expressed an interest in joining the burgeoning global tour in an effort to cash in on the game's growing international appeal.

Quizzed on whether he would consider such a move after the third round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Texas, he said: "I'm not sure.

"I don't have any immediate plans to do that, but I certainly wouldn't rule it out in the future."

If Mickelson makes the move, it no doubt would cause concern at the PGA Tour, which until now has had an almost exclusively monopoly on the top American players.

While the previous generation of greats, particularly Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, played extensively around the world, the current crop, barring Tiger Woods, rarely

have left American shores, except for the Open Championship and Ryder Cup.


Berlusconi to stand down
DALY PONDERS EUROPEAN SWITCH

COAKLEY FOUR CLEAR

Ireland's Rebecca Coakley carded a course record-equalling nine-under-par 63 to claim a four-shot lead at the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open at Golf Gerre Losone.

The Carlow 27-year-old's score - which included an eagle, eight birdies and only one bogey - matched that of France's Gwladys Nocera in 2006 and put her well ahead of a group on five under.

Starting at the 10th, she began with a birdie, holed a 101-yard pitching wedge approach at the par-four 12th before birdies at 13 and 14 took her to the turn in five under.

The former Irish amateur champion picked up another shot at the second before she finished with four birdies and that solitary bogey in her final five holes.

"I had 22 putts. When you hole out with a pitching wedge and putt in from off the green on nine it makes life easy," said Coakley.

"Today feels great and we will see what tomorrow will bring. If it happens, it happens. If not, it's not the end of the world.

"I'm going through a few changes at the moment so I've got to keep at it.

"Some weeks are going to be harder than others. If I can stick to it then hopefully there will be more of this.

"Tomorrow I'm going to do exactly the same."

England's Lisa Hall shot a five-under 67 to earn a share of second with playing partners Suzann Pettersen and Amy Yang, Ludivine Kreutz, Paula Marti, Marina Arruti and Swiss amateur Anais Maggetti.

"It was nice playing with Suzann and Amy and we all ended up shooting five-under but in different ways," said Hall.

"I actually had seven birdies and two bogeys and I look forward to playing with them again tomorrow and having another shoot-out."

England's Laura Davies is two shots further back in a share of 13th.

Collated first-round scores (Par 72):

63 Rebecca Coakley (Irl)

67 Marina Arruti (Spa), Ludivine Kreutz (Fra), Suzann Pettersen (Nor), Lisa Hall (Eng), Amy Yang (Kor), Paula Marti (Spa), Anais Maggetti (Swi)

68 Nikki Garrett (Aus), Ursula Wikstrom (Fin), Nicole Gergely (Aut), Ana B Sanchez (Spa)

69 Veronica Zorzi (Ita), Iben Tinning (Den), Marjet Van Der Graaff (Ned), Georgina Simpson (Eng), Laura Davies (Eng), Kirsty S Taylor (Eng), Katharina Schallenberg (Ger)

70 Rebecca Huber (Swi), Dana Lacey (Aus), Rebecca Hudson (Eng), Bronwyn Mullins-Lane (Aus), Lydia Hall (Wal), Laurette Maritz (Rsa), Kiran Matharu (Eng), Sophie Sandolo (Ita), Anja Monke (Ger), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Anna Tybring (Swe), Maria Verchenova (Rus)

71 Caroline Rominger (Swi), Vittoria Valvassori (Ita), Natalie Claire Booth (Eng), Nathalie David-Mila (Fra), Emma Cabrera-Bello (Spa), Melissa Reid (Eng), Felicity Johnson (Eng), Marianne Skarpnord (Nor), Samantha Head (Eng), Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra), Rachel Bell (Eng), Lee-Anne Pace (Rsa), Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den), Marta Prieto (Spa), Lynn Kenny (Sco), Martina Eberl (Ger), Becky Brewerton (Wal), Lotta Wahlin (Swe), Ellen Smets (Bel)

72 Laura Terebey (USA), Laura Cabanillas (Spa), Johanna Westerberg (Swe), Cecilia Ekelundh (Swe), Fame More (Eng), Caroline Afonso (Fra), Bettina Hauert (Ger), Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha), Joanne Mills (Aus), Tania Elosegui (Spa)

73 Mianne Bagger (Den), Mette Buus (Den), Natascha Fink (Aut), Ana Larraneta (Spa), Asa Gottmo (Swe), Federica Piovano (Ita), Diana Luna (Ita), Lynn Brooky (Nzl), Isabella Maconi (Ita), Kate Combes (Aus), Stefanie Michl (Aut), Elin Ohlsson (Swe), Karen-Margrethe Juul (Den), Jade Schaeffer (Fra), Clare Queen (Sco), Henrietta Zuel (Eng), Denise-Charlotte Becker (Ger)

74 Stefania Croce (Ita), Stephanie Arricau (Fra), Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den), Martina Gillen (Irl), Itziar Elguezabal (Spa), Jenna Wilson (Sco), Eva Steinberger (Aut), Anna Knutsson (Swe), Emma Zackrisson (Swe), Trish Johnson (Eng), Anna Rossi (Ita), Julie Greciet (Fra)

75 Danielle Masters (Eng), Stacy Lee Bregman (Rsa), Lara Tadiotto (Bel), Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin), Jehanne Jail (Fra), Anne Norman Hansen (Den), Lora Fairclough (Eng), Karen Lunn (Aus), Joanne Morley (Eng), Florence Luscher (Swi)

76 Olof Maria Jonsdottir (Ice), Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal), Sara Beautell (Spa), Cherie Byrnes (Aus), Melodie Bourdy (Fra), Elisabeth Esterl (Ger), Maria Boden (Swe), Beatriz Recari (Spa), Elizabeth Mckinnon (Nzl), Frederique Seeholzer (Swi), Lill Kristin Saether (Nor), Nora Angehrn (Swi), Sophie Walker (Eng)

77 Christine Hallstrom (Swe), Margherita Rigon (Ita), Leah Hart (Aus), Fanny Vuignier (Swi)

78 Cassandra Kirkland (Fra), Kathryn Imrie (Sco), Frances Bondad (Aus), Julie Tvede (Den)

79 Camille Fallay (Fra)

80 Jo Clingan (Eng)

81 Rui Yokomine (Jpn)

83 Denise Simon (Ger), Xonia Wunsch (Spa), Sofia Renell (Swe)


Ex-Viking Eller pulled over in motorcycle incident
PETTERSEN EQUALS COURSE RECORD
TURKISH DELIGHT FOR WAHLIN

WOODS OPTS FOR OPEN RETURN

Tiger Woods is set to play his first event since undergoing knee surgery following last month's Masters when he tees off at the United States Open in three weeks' time.

The world number one had hoped to be fit enough for next week's Memorial tournament in Ohio, but officials were notified yesterday that he will not be playing.

There is another tournament in Memphis the week before the second major of the season, but Woods has never competed there and will be expected to practise at home instead.

Two years ago he had nine weeks off between The Masters and US Open following the death of his father, and on his return missed the halfway cut for the only time in a major in his professional career.

This year's US Open is at Torrey Pines near San Diego, where in January he lifted the Buick Invitational for a sixth time - and fourth in a row - by eight strokes.

Even going back there after such a lengthy lay-off he is bound to be installed as favourite.


Werder midfielder in line for return
CLARKE OPTS FOR WALES

PETTERSEN EQUALS COURSE RECORD

Norway's Suzann Pettersen carded a course record-equalling nine-under-par 63 to claim a five-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open at Golf Gerre Losone.

Pettersen finished on 14 under par after claiming nine birdies to match that of first round leader Rebecca Coakley from Ireland, who had a 63 on the opening day.

Pettersen began her second round four shots behind Coakley in a share of second with six others on five under, but starting from the 10th she birdied her first four holes to draw level.

She then recorded further birdies on holes 16 and 18 for an outward total of six-under 31 and a two-shot lead over Coakley who had not started her round by that point.

Three more birdies at the third, sixth and ninth holes gave the 27-year-old from Oslo an inward total of 32 for a five-shot clubhouse lead.

Pettersen said: "I've just got to keep going and keep doing what I'm doing because it feels good, especially my wedges.

"It feels like I can attack any pin. I feel a lot more comfortable with my irons, which makes you want to be very aggressive on every hole and sometimes you have to be a little careful. It's a great feeling."

Amy Yang, the 2006 ANZ Ladies Masters champion from South Korea, shot a four-under 68 to move into outright second on nine under.

England's Lisa Hall shot 69 to lie third place on eight under, while six players including Coakley shared fourth on seven under.

Coakley carded a 74 and said: "The front nine was good but on the back nine I hit a few bad iron shots and didn't get up and down.

"There were a lot of putts that shaved the hole whereas yesterday they were all going in."

Also on seven under are Belgium's Ellen Smets (66), Norway's Marianne Skarpnord (66), England's Laura Davies (68), Spain's Paula Marti (70) and France's Ludivine Kreutz (67).


The celebrations continue
Coppa Italia Round-Up
HAPPY RETURN FOR PETTERSEN

WENTWORTH NOTEBOOK - THURSDAY

Howeller's Defence

At the conclusion to regulation play at last year's Open I found myself stood near the Garcia family and chose to watch the result of Sergio's putt for glory via their faces. The twisted masks of pain I witnessed offered a real insight into the agonies the family and friends of golfers suffer during a round.

It was something I was reminded of today when I watched the father of David Howell live every shot his son played in the first round of what Ray Howell reminded me is David's "defence" of his title (he was unable to genuinely do so last year due to injury).

Nor was Ray alone outside the ropes this morning. Girlfriend Emily and coach Jamie Gough were also in support (along with half of Swindon if the accent's were anything to go by).

A friendly bunch they were, too, which is no great surprise to those who read Howell's excellent blog on his website; probably the funniest, most honest and genuine account of professional golf on the internet.

I particularly recommend the wonderful stories about his caddies in Vietnam and Morocco ...

Levet Makes Friends

Having backed Thomas Levet to win, my first task upon arrival was to join him for his early tee time.

It wasn't the best of beginnings: an impossible lie in a bunker leading to a double bogey on the first.

Nor was his putter working, as the Frenchman wasted numerous birdie opportunities.

When one did finally arrive a father and son in the gallery appeared to take greater pleasure than Thomas himself.

It emerged that on the first tee Thomas had handed the young lad two gloves from his bag, gaining a loyal lieutenant for the day.

Overheard

One of the more unflattering technical descriptions of the admittedly very strong grip of Hennie Otto: "Look at that. His hands look like a gorilla's grabbing a bunch of bananas."

A Year is a Long Time in Golf

Last July I was in Cardiff for the Wales Challenge, watching a soaked and miserable-looking Felipe Aguilar drag himself around a near-flooded course.

Who could have predicted that within ten months he would have won four times worldwide - twice on the Challenge Tour, once in his homeland Chile, and his maiden European Tour title in Indonesia?

Even less credible would have been forecasting him arriving at Wentworth in a pair of trousers with one black leg and one white which prompted one wag to suggest that he resembled a "monochrome jester".

There was no reason to laugh at his 71, though. He's a very fine golfer and worth watching this week.

A Genuinely Stylish Golfer

If you want real style on the golf course, look no further than Johan Edfors.

It has become obligatory for me to check out his latest outfit and he wasn't letting me down today with an under-stated grey and off-white combination.

What fascinates me about his clothing manufacturer Puma is their uncanny knack of signing players prior to a hot run of form.

They took on Geoff Ogilvy the year he won the World Matchplay and US Open, Edfors the year of his treble and got hold of Joost Luiten before he took the Challenge Tour by storm in 2007.

I asked Edfors' girlfriend Cecilia about Puma's mystery talent scout. She was unable to confirm his existence, but did explain that the firm has a real family-feel which makes Johan right at home.

It might be worth noting that form-horse Alvaro Velasco is the latest player to start wearing their range.


Zlatan eyes English challenge
ROSE HOME, LOOKING FOR KICK-START
SCOTLAND OUT TO EMULATE ENGLISH STARS

WILLETT TURNING PRO

Yorkshire's Danny Willett, the number one amateur in the world, is turning professional and will make his debut in next week's Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

The Walker Cup player, holder of English, Spanish and Australian titles, finished 19th in the Andalucian Open in March and 10th in the Spanish Open earlier this month after a third-round 64.

"I felt the time was right," he said.

"I felt comfortable playing in those events and didn't want to hang around and not take the opportunity now."

The 20-year-old son of a clergyman can accept seven European Tour invitations for the rest of the season and will hope to earn enough to avoid a trip to the qualifying school. Walker Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy did that late last year.


Subs secure victory
Panthers continue to beef up D-line, add DT Scott
NO REGRETS FOR KNOST

BMW SCOUTING REPORT - THURSDAY

Over the last twelve months everything I have seen and read about the 23-year-old Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera has suggested he might be good.

After following his back nine of the first round I am convinced he is very, very good.

Last year he was one of many youngsters to impress on the Challenge Tour, but it took until the final event of the year for him to take his first title, the San Domenico Grand Final which won him the Order of Merit.

From that point I started to track his progress and he hasn't let me down - leading the recent China Open and contending again last week in Ireland.

However it is one thing to be impressed by stats, another to be genuinely impressed by what you see in front of you; Lorenzo-Vera ticks both boxes.

The most obvious strength of his game is his driving which would be impressive enough, being very long and very straight, but given that he is very slight and looks about 12-years-old it is extraordinary.

Following him around on Thursday was a group of Frenchmen who are understandably excited by Lorenzo-Vera's game and the state of the nation's golf too.

Principal amongst those was his coach Jean Lamaison, who has been with his protйgй for 14 years and is genuinely thrilled by his progress.

The two practice near Biarritz and the windy, seaside location not only helps to explain the win at San Domenico but also hints at future success on the links.

"Coming from the South-west, we are at home on the links," Lamaisson told me with a twinkle in his eye, as his student completed an impressive up and down for par on the sixteenth.

As one would expect of a youngster, temperament remains a problem, an aspect of his game another member of the gallery, a childhood friend of Lorenzo-Vera's, could expand on.

"I had to dodge his putter a few times," he laughed, remembering the angry re-actions of his friend's missed pars and birdies. "But although he can get down on himself, when he is on a high he can do anything."

Which makes him typical of the 2007 Challenge Tour graduates, a group that includes Joost Luiten, Ross McGowan and Felipe Aguilar; players who have thrived on the bigger stage and look set to maximise their talent.

He is also part of the French Brigade who have won numerous titles in the last 12 months and impress everyone with the spirits des corps which shows itself with champagne celebrations on the last green.

Lorenzo-Vera, who finished the day tied ninth after an impressive three-under 69, might be the next man to get an expensive shower, and it might not be just the one.


Cardinals not interested in dealing unhappy Boldin
SCOTLAND OUT TO EMULATE ENGLISH STARS
IMPRESSIVE McGRANE SECURES VICTORY

TURNBERRY SET TO BE SOLD

Turnberry in Scotland, the venue for next year's Open Championship, is being bought for Ј55million by the Dubai-based Leisurecorp.

The company, which in November announced plans to host the richest tournament in golf at the end of next season, have signed a letter of intent with current owners Starwood Hotels and Resorts and the deal is expected to be completed by October 31.

Turnberry first hosted The Open in 1977, the famous "Duel in the Sun" in which Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus by a stroke after the pair had separated themselves from the rest of the field.

Greg Norman won his first major there in 1986, firing a major record-equalling 63 en route, and Nick Price became champion in 1994 after an eagle putt on the 17th helped him overtake Jesper Parnevik, who stood on the final tee three ahead.

A full re-development of the hotel overlooking the two courses is planned and it was also announced today that Colin Montgomerie's contract supporting an academy at the venue is being extended for a further three years.

Leisurecorp have become a major player for the European Tour, with the Order of Merit next year being re-named "The Race to Dubai" and an international Tour headquarters being established in the United Arab Emirates.

The Dubai World Championship will become the climax to next season's schedule, with a total prize fund of around Ј5million.

In addition there is a bonus pool of the same amount, from which the Tour's number one will earn roughly Ј1million down to the player in 15th spot collecting Ј125,000.


Republican senator questions Specter’s probe
FINCHEM: WE’LL DO IT OUR WAY

MORGAN SEEKING FIRST TOUR WIN

Wales' Becky Morgan had a season's-best tie for 11th in last week's Sybase Classic and will be out to post another high finish in the LPGA Corning Classic in New York which starts on Thursday.

With the world's top three - Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam and Suzann Pettersen - all missing, Corning offers one of the best chances to produce a first-time winner.

South Korea's Jimin Kang is the defending champion.

"I played well last week and it has given me more confidence," said Morgan, who has four top-three finishes but is still waiting her first win in seven years in America.

Scotland's Mhairi McKay, with five second places in her 10 years on the circuit, is another Briton overdue a first victory, and she has good memories of Corning having finished fourth two years ago.

Johanna Head and Janice Moodie are the other two Britons in a field headed by America's world number four Paula Creamer, who has already won twice this season and lost in a play-off to Sorenstam at last month's Stanford International in Miami.

Last year, Creamer finished tied second here, three shots behind Kang.

"I'm pleased with my start to the year," said 21-year-old Creamer, who now has six Tour wins. "But I'm always quite hard on myself and go out and try to win every week.

"I have good memories of last year here and it would be great to go one better this year."

Ochoa, who has won six times this season, and three-time winner Sorenstam have both decided to skip this tournament before the Ginn Open in Florida next week which is

immediately followed by the second major of the women's season, the McDonald's LPGA Championship.

Pettersen is competing in the Swiss Open on the Ladies' European Tour.


Duo included in Italy squad
Eagles sue T.O. to recoup 2004-05 bonus money
SORENSTAM BACK TO HER BEST
OCHOA WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT TITLE

CLARKE OPTS FOR WALES

Darren Clarke has added the Wales Open to his schedule in a bid to boost his Ryder Cup chances - but as a result has decided not to try to qualify for the United States Open.

The two events follow straight on from one another, with the 36-hole qualifier at Walton Heath the day after the finish at Celtic Manor, and Clarke said: "My win in China really put my career back on track and I want to do everything I possibly can to be part of Nick Faldo's side.

"This was a very tough choice because the US Open would definitely have been on my schedule had I automatically qualified.

"Taking everything into consideration I decided that this year I would stay closer to home and concentrate on my European schedule.

"If everything works out to plan then I can possibly play my way into The Open and US PGA."

Clarke, who won the Asian Open in Shanghai three weeks ago, has been out of the top 25 just once in his last six starts, a run he hopes to extend in this week's Irish Open at Adare Manor near Limerick.

Currently 16th on the Order of Merit, it is still possible he could gain an exemption to the US Open.

The top two on the money list after next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth earn spots at Torrey Pines.


Niners’ Baas tears muscle, will miss some camp
CLARKE SPURRED ON BY BAD PRESS
CLARKE OUTLINES RYDER HOPES

ROSE READY FOR BIRKDALE RETURN

Justin Rose has already begun preparations for what he admits will be a poignant return to Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship later this year.

The 27-year-old, winner of last year's European Tour Order of Merit, burst onto the international scene when the Open was last held at the Southport course a decade ago.

Then an unknown amateur, Rose muscled his way onto the leaderboard and his chip on the last hole earned a tie for fourth place.

His performance hastened a decision to turn professional and Rose is now looking forward to going back having established himself as one of the world's leading players.

Rose is currently back in England for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this week having concentrated on America during the first half of the year.

"I went up to Royal Birkdale last week and got a few practice rounds in for the British Open," Rose said.

"Birkdale is going to be a special week - a lot of good memories, obviously.

"It is going to be really exciting, it will mark 10 years as a pro, which is obviously significant for me.

"It also gives me the opportunity to be really fired up for the next 10 years as well.

"It is nice to go back to Birkdale 10 years on as someone who has won the European Tour Order of Merit and kind of just shown a little bit of the potential that was expected of me at the time.

"For a while expectations got the better of me but I think going back to Birkdale as the European number one, and having got into the top 10 in the world, I feel comfortable because I feel I have achieved a lot in the game.

"If I had gone back there really struggling for my form I would not have been that excited about the prospect of reliving the good and the bad.

"But I feel on top of my game, or certainly getting there, and it is nice to be going back."

Rose was speaking at London's O2 Arena where, as part of the promotion for the BMW PGA Championship, he had been hitting balls off the roof with Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall.

The Wentworth event also offers an opportunity for more Ryder Cup points, although Rose is already well on course for a European debut against the USA at Valhalla in September.

Rose said: "I have had a good start to qualification but I think the key for me is to not try to focus on just getting in the team.

"I feel if I do make the team I want to go into the Ryder Cup playing well. It is not just matter of getting in the team and relax.

"Once you make the team you have got to go there and you have got to play well, you have got a job to do.

"My thought is on playing well so if I do make the team I am going to be an asset."


Werder midfielder in line for return
Jose could return to England
ROYAL BIRKDALE TO TEST TACTICS
ROSE HOME, LOOKING FOR KICK-START

FINCH MAKES A SPLASH

England's Richard Finch not only won his second European Tour title on Sunday, but did something for which he will always be remembered.

Going along smoothly and with a three-stroke lead on the final hole of the Irish Open at Adare Manor, the 30-year-old from Hull had no idea what was just about to happen.

His second shot to the par-five 18th finished on the bank of the River Maigue and, in playing his third, Finch lost his balance and fell into the water.

Suddenly he was Europe's answer to 'Aquaman' - the name given to American Woody Austin when he did the same thing in September's Presidents Cup.

On clambering out, Finch was able to laugh about it straight away for the simple reason that his ball was on the green. Otherwise, it might have been a different matter.

And although he then three-putted for a bogey six, the former English amateur champion was able to celebrate adding the trophy and a first prize of Ј330,297 to his New Zealand Open success in December.

"It was not a choice really," he replied when asked about his early bath. "It was a bit of an awkward stance, but I never gave falling in a thought.

"The momentum of the follow-through took me round and in."

Finch, fighting for his future on the European Tour until the final day of last season, shot a closing 70 for a 10-under-par total of 278 and a two-stroke victory over Chilean Felipe Aguilar.

Only 218th in the world entering the event, Finch now stands fifth on the Order of Merit - 105 places higher than he was last season - and is only just outside the top 10 in the Ryder Cup standings.

"I was a lot calmer than I was in New Zealand, and although my swing was not great, I felt a lot more on control," he added.

Welshman Bradley Dredge, keen to make up for losing a play-off to Padraig Harrington a year ago, had been one ahead going into the day, but the curse of the overnight lead struck him as well.

On Friday, Richard Green and Jeev Milkha Singh scored 74 and 76, yesterday Michael Lorenzo-Vera fell out of contention with a 75 and Dredge handed over pole position when he followed an opening three-putt bogey with a double-bogey only two holes later.

Joint third on seven under were Lee Westwood - unable to reproduce the magic of his third round 64 - Swede Robert Karlsson, Dutchman Maarten Lafeber and Irishman Gary Murphy.

As Dredge stumbled at the start, Finch did drop a shot himself at the short fourth, but simply by picking off birdies at the next three par fives - and making a couple of crucial par-saving putts - he became the man to catch.

Aguilar did cut the gap to one with a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th, but fatally went in the water - with his ball rather than his body - on the short 16th for a double-bogey five.

When Finch then birdied the 378-yard 15th, he was four clear and, but for the unexpected splash on the last, cruised in.

The home fans had earlier been given hope of a second successive win for one of their own when Murphy, without a victory in more than 200 Tour starts, birdied four of the first six and shared the lead.

He was part of a six-way tie at one point, but three-putted the eighth and bogeyed the 13th as well before producing a closing birdie.

One shot further back in seventh was 19-year-old Rory McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, while Dredge could finish only joint eighth after a 76.

Darren Clarke, two off the lead until he finished his third round with a triple-bogey eight, finished in joint 16th place on two under with Paul McGinley, while defending champion Harrington was down in 31st spot on one over.

Colin Montgomerie, meanwhile, was still looking for his first top-40 strokeplay finish since January after a closing 76 dropped him to five over.

At least he avoided what happened to Italian Edoardo Molinari and Spaniard Luis Claverie.

They each had a 10 on their card, Molinari's coming on the 167-yard 16th after he put three balls in the lake and a fourth in a bunker.

Collated final round scores & totals in the European tour Irish Open, Adare, Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, Adare Manor, Ireland

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

278 Richard Finch 71 72 65 70

280 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 72 67 70

281 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 71 70 69 71, Gary Murphy 74 70 68 69, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 71 72 67, Lee Westwood 75 70 64 72

282 Rory McIlroy 70 72 70 70

283 Bradley Dredge 68 73 66 76, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 72 72 68 71

284 Anthony Wall 72 70 70 72, James Kingston (Rsa) 75 68 69 72, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 77 68 70 69

285 Alvaro Velasco (Spa) 69 72 72 72, David Frost (Rsa) 74 70 66 75, Johan Edfors (Swe) 68 73 73 71

286 Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 77 66 68 75, Lee S James 69 73 70 74, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 76 66 71 73, Darren Clarke 72 69 72 73, Paul McGinley 73 69 73 71, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 70 70 73 73

287 Peter Lawrie 71 75 72 69, Oliver Fisher 72 75 69 71

288 Ross Fisher 74 68 69 77, Stephen Gallacher 73 71 68 76, Steven O'Hara 74 68 72 74, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 77 69 71 71, Gregory Havret (Fra) 77 70 65 76, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 70 73 71 74, Paul Broadhurst 73 74 68 73

289 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 68 70 75 76, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 73 73 70 73, Stuart Manley 71 72 76 70, Padraig Harrington 72 71 70 76

290 Oliver Wilson 74 73 71 72, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 70 77 74 69, Scott Strange (Aus) 71 74 74 71, John Bickerton 72 70 77 71, Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 75 69 73 73

291 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 66 76 75 74, Gary Orr 71 73 73 74, Richard Green (Aus) 66 74 75 76, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 70 73 72 76, Simon Khan 71 74 75 71

292 Peter Baker 72 69 76 75, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 72 72 73 75, Julio Zapata (Arg) 72 73 72 75

293 Ulrich Van Den Berg (Rsa) 71 75 75 72, Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 73 72 72 76, Colin Montgomerie 75 69 73 76, Jean Van de Velde (Fra) 74 70 72 77, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 74 72 73 74

294 Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 72 73 72 77

295 Marcel Siem (Ger) 68 71 75 81, Barry Lane 73 72 73 77

296 Stephen Dodd 74 71 75 76, Alastair Forsyth 71 72 75 78

297 Peter Hanson (Swe) 74 73 75 75, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 71 74 75 77

298 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 73 74 76 75, Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 72 74 77 75, Ross McGowan 74 71 75 78

299 Pedro Linhart (Spa) 71 76 74 78, David Drysdale 74 72 79 74

301 Matthew Millar (Aus) 73 73 79 76

302 Paul Waring 76 70 75 81

304 Luis Claverie (Spa) 73 73 73 85

306 Benoit Teilleria (Fra) 75 72 77 82


VfB have 4 players out
Frei: “You learn from victories and defeats!”
FINCH HOPING FOR MAJOR PERFORMANCE
MONTY HOPES FOR ADARE IMPROVEMENT

ROSE HOME, LOOKING FOR KICK-START

Justin Rose hopes some home comforts will help kickstart his season.

Last year's European Tour Order of Merit winner is back in England this week for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The tournament will be the 27-year-old Englishman's first in Europe this year and he hopes the return to familiar surroundings will help him rediscover his best.

"I have been in America for five months now," Rose said. "Coming back to England is a real opportunity to recharge my batteries sometimes, to catch up with friends.

"I went to the FA Cup final and had a couple of nights out with the guys.

"Just doing English things - watching a bit of football, a pint down the pub, bacon sandwich, going for a curry. Just getting back into the English lifestyle, it's good.

"Last year Wentworth was a key week for me in terms of a platform for a good year, so I am hoping it will, again, be a good tournament for me to get some form going."

Rose led after the first round at the Masters in April but has otherwise not produced the performances he believes he is capable of on the US PGA Tour so far this year.

He has pleasant memories of Wentworth, however, and went close to victory in the BMW PGA Championship at the Surrey course last year before losing to Dane Anders Hansen in a dramatic play-off.

"Wentworth is one of my favourite courses," Rose added. "I've been going to the tournament there since I was a kid.

"The BMW is the flagship event on the European Tour, there is no bigger event really.

"It is ranked really high on my priority list and it is a golf course I really like playing too. It is well worth making the trip back from America to come and play.

"Results-wise the last few weeks have been disappointing but before that things were very much on track.

"I'm trying not to spend too much (time deliberating) on the last couple of weeks and just work my way back into a positive frame of mind.

"I went up to Wentworth yesterday which was lovely because I had the course to myself. The course was in great shape and I had a really good practice round. Everything is feeling good."

Rose was speaking at London's O2 Arena. There to promote the tournament, he had been hitting balls off the dome roof with Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall.

"I am really looking looking forward to the BMW PGA and I've had an exciting morning at the O2 Arena," he said of his unusual preparations for a tournament. "It's been a one-in-a-lifetime experience hitting balls off the top of the building.

"I felt like James Bond - arrive by boat on the Thames and then scale the O2 dome. It's been a cool day."

On Hucknall's performance, he added: "He's just taking up the game, so it was a bit of a baptism of fire for him, but he was game for a laugh."


Developer unveils L.A. stadium plans to lure team
RYDER BOOST FOR McDOWELL
DOUGHERTY MOURNING MOTHER

IMADA CLAIMS CLASSIC GLORY

Ryuji Imada captured his first career PGA title by defeating Kenny Perry in a one-hole playoff to win the AT&T Classic.

It was the first victory in three-plus seasons on tour for Imada, who lost this event to Zach Johnson in a play-off last year.

After leading through 36 and 54 holes here last season, Imada struggled on the final day before entering the play-off, when he hooked his second shot into the water en route to a heartbreaking loss.

But ironically, Imada won in eerily similar fashion over Perry, whose second play-off shot found the water.

After cautiously laying his second shot within 131 feet of the pin, Imada needed a pair of putts to move within four feet of the hole. But he sank his final putt to edge Perry, who needed to make a 14-footer to force a second play-off hole.

Imada, who entered the final round tied for sixth, fired a five-under-par 67 to pass five golfers, including Perry. The 31-year-old Japanese native holed six birdies against one bogey to finish at 15-under 273.

Colombian Camilo Villegas carded a 66 to finish in sole possession of third at 14-under 274.

Brian Davis was the leading British player as he finished joint 52nd.

The 33-year-old shot a one-under-par 71 final round to be the first European home as he finished at two-under 286 at TPC Sugarloaf.

Compatriot Kenneth Ferrie finished in joint 60th after a one-over-par 73 saw him finish at one-over 289.


Day after releasing Wright, Browns sign DB Perry
PLAYERS GLORY FOR GARCIA
KIM SHOWS THE WAY

OCHOA WINS IN NEW JERSEY

Mexico's world number one Lorena Ochoa staged a successful defence of the Sybase Classic to claim her sixth title in a dazzling season when she shot a final round 71 at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey on Sunday.

In a tournament reduced to 54 holes after Friday's play was washed out, Ochoa finished on 10 under par 206, and a stroke ahead of a group of five players that included Scotland's Catriona Matthew.

Matthew carded a final day 67 to secure her best finish since she tied for second in last year's major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

With six birdies, the two-time LPGA Tour winner finished on nine under par alongside Sweden's Sophie Gustafson, Americans Brittany Lang and Morgan Pressel and South Korean Na Yeon Choi.

"I played really well today and it was the first time this season that the putts have started to fall," said the 38-year-old Scot, who started the day four off the lead but made the move with a great back nine of 32.

"After I birdied the last (from 10 feet) I thought there might be a chance to win, but there was never much chance that Lorena would lose it."

Ochoa, the Women's British Open Champion, started the final round with a two-shot lead, and was four in front by the time she had picked up shots at the second and fifth.

But the rest of the field started making birdies and, when Ochoa had dropped a shot at the tricky par three 17th, she was only a shot ahead.

However, she made an easy par at the 18th to win - her sixth victory in nine starts this year.

At the end of a week in which she announced she would be retiring at the end of this year, Annika Sorenstam, the first round leader on 67, closed with a 71 and tied for 11th place on five under par.

Wales' Becky Morgan, who had a final day 69, was on the same mark.

Collated third round scores & totals in the LPGA Tour Sybase Classic Presented by Shoprite, Upper Montclair Country Club, Clifton, New Jersey, United States of America

(USA unless stated, par 72):

206 Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 68 67 71

207 Na Yeon Choi (Kor) 70 68 69, Catriona Matthew (Sco) 68 72 67, Morgan Pressel 70 71 66, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 69 68 70, Brittany Lang 68 71 68

208 Christina Kim 69 72 67, 209 Hye Jung Choi (Kor) 70 68 71

210 Jimin Kang (Kor) 73 69 68, Nicole Castrale 71 72 67

211 Teresa Lu (Tai) 68 69 74, Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 67 73 71, Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 73 68 70, Becky Morgan (Wal) 70 72 69

212 Ya-Ni Tseng (Kor) 71 72 69, Kristy McPherson 71 69 72, Wendy Ward 71 71 70

213 Taylor Leon 72 69 72, Minea Blomqvist (Fin) 71 72 70, Cristie Kerr 69 76 68, In-Bee Park (Kor) 72 73 68, Song-Hee Kim (Kor) 67 75 71, Sandra Gal (Ger) 72 71 70, Helen Alfredsson (Swe) 70 71 72

214 Brandie Burton 71 73 70, Kyeong Eun Bae (Kor) 72 70 72, Eunjung Yi (Kor) 70 72 72, Michele Redman 71 73 70, Carolina Llano (Col) 68 74 72, Pat Hurst 68 74 72

215 Shi Hyun Ahn (Kor) 69 77 69, Irene Cho 74 70 71, Sun Young Yoo (Kor) 75 69 71, Na On Min (Jpn) 70 73 72, Mikaela Parmlid (Swe) 70 75 70, Carri Wood 73 72 70, Diana D'Alessio 72 72 71

216 Lindsey Wright (Aus) 70 71 75, Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 67 77 72, Angela Park 74 72 70, Tracy Hanson 70 74 72

217 Giulia Sergas (Ita) 72 74 71, Stacy Prammanasudh 71 71 75, Jin Joo Hong (Kor) 73 72 72, Dorothy Delasin 72 72 73, Michelle Ellis 73 72 72, Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 69 72 76, Sherri Turner 73 69 75, Sung Ah Yim (Kor) 71 73 73, Soo-Yun Kang (Kor) 70 76 71, Sarah Jane Kenyon 70 74 73, Amy Hung (Tha) 72 74 71, Emily Bastel 74 71 72, Hwa seon Lee (Kor) 70 74 73

218 Jee Young Lee (Kor) 73 72 73, Ji-Young Oh (Kor) 73 71 74, Ashleigh Simon (Rsa) 72 72 74, Meena Lee (Kor) 73 73 72, Eva Dahllof (Swe) 73 72 73

219 Virada Nirapathpongporn (Tha) 73 72 74, Young-A Yang (Kor) 73 71 75, Natalie Gulbis 73 73 73, Jane Park 73 73 73, Jamie Hullett 72 73 74, Erica Blasberg 73 72 74, Leah Marie Wigger 70 75 74

220 Mollie Fankhauser 72 74 74, Karrie Webb (Aus) 76 70 74, Allison Hanna-Williams 74 72 74, Ashli Bunch 71 74 75

221 Katie Futcher 71 74 76

224 Jean Bartholomew 72 74 78


Coppa Italia Round-Up
Serie A round-up
OCHOA WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT TITLE
LEADING PAIR SET TO DO BATTLE

JAMES HOPES TO DELIVER THIS WEEKEND

England's Lee James, close to giving up golf and applying for a job as a postman last year, now finds himself with a chance to win the Irish Open at Adare Manor this weekend.

Fourteen years ago James was British amateur champion at the same time as Tiger Woods was the American title holder.

They were both at the 1995 Masters, opponents in the Walker Cup later that year and had dreams of striking it rich in the professional game.

Woods, of course, has already made his first Ј50million. James, on the other hand, needed 12 trips to the European Tour before he made it through last November and his career earnings on the circuit stand at less than Ј100,000.

He is 723 places below Woods on the world rankings and he has never finished higher than 10th in any of his 86 events.

After rounds of 69 and 73, however, the 35-year-old from Poole is two under par and only four behind French leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera in the Ј2million tournament.

"I was struggling with a little bit of depression last year and a doctor told me to take a couple of months off," said James.

"Financially it was hard - we couldn't pay for the mortgage - and I had no interest even in going to the club to practise.

"My wife's been fantastic, though, and she suggested that if I felt the same after one more tournament I should give it up.

"I got a few job applications but didn't send any of them off and then I managed to get some sponsorship. Without that I don't think I could have gone on."

James - so little known that a radio commentator even called him "James Lee" during the day - had a chance to join Lorenzo-Vera in the lead when he stood over an eagle putt on the long 18th, his ninth.

But after two-putting for birdie he then slipped back with bogeys on the first, fifth and ninth. It will probably be a mental battle more than anything for him over the closing 36 holes.

There are some big names around him on the leaderboard, but Lorenzo-Vera is not one of them.

The 23-year-old from Biarritz is in his rookie season after winning last year's Challenge Tour - and he admits the 7,453-yard course is the toughest he has seen in his life.

After his first sight of it he admitted he thought: "God - how am I going to do that?"

But so far he has done it very well, adding a 70 to his opening 68 for a halfway total of 138.

He took over at the top from Indian Jeev Milkha Singh and Australian Richard Green, who after starting with rounds of 66 could manage only 76 and 74 respectively.

Collated second round scores & totals in the European tour Irish Open, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, Adare Manor, Ireland

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

138 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 68 70

139 Marcel Siem (Ger) 68 71

140 Richard Green (Aus) 66 74, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 70 70

141 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 71 70, Alvaro Velasco (Spa) 69 72, Peter Baker 72 69, Darren Clarke 72 69, Johan Edfors (Swe) 68 73, Bradley Dredge 68 73

142 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 66 76, Ross Fisher 74 68, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 76 66, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 71 71, Steven O'Hara 74 68, John Bickerton 72 70, Anthony Wall 72 70, Rory McIlroy 70 72, Lee S James 69 73, Paul McGinley 73 69

143 Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 77 66, James Kingston (Rsa) 75 68, Stuart Manley 71 72, Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 72, Richard Finch 71 72, Alastair Forsyth 71 72, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 70 73, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 70 73, Padraig Harrington 72 71

144 Gary Orr 71 73, Colin Montgomerie 75 69, Jean Van de Velde (Fra) 74 70, David Frost (Rsa) 74 70, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 72 72, Stephen Gallacher 73 71, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 72 72, Gary Murphy 74 70, Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 75 69

145 Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 73 72, Scott Strange (Aus) 71 74, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 72 73, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 77 68, Julio Zapata (Arg) 72 73, Simon Khan 71 74, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 71 74, Stephen Dodd 74 71, Lee Westwood 75 70, Ross McGowan 74 71, Barry Lane 73 72

146 Ulrich Van Den Berg (Rsa) 71 75, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 73 73, Paul Waring 76 70, Luis Claverie (Spa) 73 73, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 74 72, Matthew Millar (Aus) 73 73, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 77 69, Peter Lawrie 71 75, David Drysdale 74 72, Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 72 74

147 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 73 74, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 70 77, Oliver Wilson 74 73, Oliver Fisher 72 75, Paul Broadhurst 73 74, Peter Hanson (Swe) 74 73, Pedro Linhart (Spa) 71 76, Benoit Teilleria (Fra) 75 72, Gregory Havret (Fra) 77 70

------------------------Following players missed the Cut---------------------------

148 Christian Cevaer (Fra) 75 73, Damien McGrane 76 72, Peter Whiteford 75 73, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 72 76, David Howell 75 73, Scott Drummond 74 74, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 69 79, Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 73 75, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 74, Robert Rock 77 71

149 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 74 75, David Carter 76 73, Anton Haig (Rsa) 73 76, Graeme McDowell 74 75, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 78 71, Paolo Terreni (Ita) 74 75, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 75 74, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 74 75, Carl Suneson (Spa) 71 78, David Dixon 79 70, Phillip Archer 78 71, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 76 73

150 Leif Westerberg (Swe) 75 75, Mark Brown (USA) 74 76, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 74 76, Simon Dyson 76 74, Sion Bebb 75 75, Pat Murray 76 74, Damian Mooney 75 75, Sven Struver (Ger) 76 74, Jamie Donaldson 72 78, Sam Little 74 76, Robert Giles 78 72, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 80, Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe) 77 73

151 Richard Bland 80 71, Martin Wiegele (Aut) 84 67, Joakim Backstrom (Swe) 79 72, Garry Houston 75 76, Zane Scotland 77 74, David Griffiths 81 70, Benn Barham 77 74, Mark Staunton 77 74, Ariel Canete (Arg) 76 75, Mark Foster 73 78, Michael Hoey 74 77, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 76 75

152 Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 74 78, Colm Moriarty 72 80, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 76 76, Jan Are Larsen (Nor) 76 76, Iain Pyman 81 71, Marc Warren 78 74, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 78 74, James Kamte (Rsa) 78 74

153 Juan Abbate (Arg) 78 75, Patrik Sjoland (Swe) 78 75, Alan McLean 74 79, David Park 74 79, Andrew McLardy (Rsa) 75 78, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 76 77, Sam Walker 79 74, Paul Lawrie 76 77, Ian Garbutt 77 76

154 Phillip Price 78 76, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 80 74, Florian Praegant (Aut) 78 76, Pablo Martin (Spa) 80 74, Carlos Rodiles (Spa) 78 76, Simon Wakefield 75 79

155 Lee Slattery 81 74

156 Craig Lee 77 79, Brendan McGovern 79 77, Robert Dinwiddie 76 80, Peter Fowler (Aus) 81 75, David Higgins 80 76

157 Peter Martin (Aus) 76 81, Gareth Paddison (Nzl) 83 74

158 Dave Horsey 81 77, Marco Soffietti (Ita) 80 78, Peter O'keeffe 79 79

159 Glen Robinson 80 79, Leslie Walker 80 79

161 Philip Golding 78 83

162 Michael Lavelle 81 81

164 Tom Whitehouse 84 80

165 Eamonn Brady 85 80, Kyron Sullivan 80 85


Season Over For Arteta
SINGH SHARES LEAD