Denmark's Thomas Bjorn gets British Open lifeline
SANDWICH, United Kingdom — Denmark's Thomas Bjorn has been handed a last-minute British Open lifeline to return to the scene of his tragic near-miss here eight years ago.It was at Royal…
SANDWICH, United Kingdom — Denmark's Thomas Bjorn has been handed a last-minute British Open lifeline to return to the scene of his tragic near-miss here eight years ago.It was at Royal St George's in 2003 that the Ryder Cup stalwart had one hand on the Auld Claret jug as he led the Open by three strokes with just four holes to play only to suffer a meltdown that evoked memories of Frenchman Jean Van de Velde at Carnoustie four year beforehand.With victory in his sights Bjorn inexplicably took three shots to get out of a greenside bunker at the 16th and then, shell-shocked, he bogeyed the next to hand victory to US debutant Ben Curtis.It was a collapse that took its toll on the Dane, who subsequently saw his world ranking plummet and it looked like he would not qualify for the tournament's return to Sandwich this year until a rash of injuries cleared his path, the final one being that of Fiji's Vijay Singh on Monday.The 40-year-old Bjorn said that he was eager to seize the moment."I'm just delighted. You don't want to see players pull out, but since Sandwich I have missed some Opens and it makes you realise how much you want to play in them."The year after what happened here was difficult, but these are the events you want to be playing in. When I think back I just count myself lucky that I got myself in a position where I had a chance to win. Loads of people don't get that chance."Singh followed Tiger Woods, Thomas Levet, Tim Clark and David Toms in pulling out of the event and Bjorn gets his opportunity because Australian Brendan Jones turned down the chance to step in because his wife is expecting.The world number 80 will play the championship course and the fateful 16th again for the first time in practice Tuesday and said: "When I get there I won't be thinking 'this is a horror hole' - it's a good hole."I just tried to erase it from my memory, but it might just creep into my mind on Sunday if I am playing well!"You've really got a problem if you live eight years in the past. It was difficult for me w
last modification 2011-07-12 00:15:02
Add comment