IAN WOOSNAM secured his return to the Open Championship yesterday and said drily: “Now I’ve just got to get the right amount of clubs in the bag.” Europe’s Ryder Cup captain survived the 36-hole qualifying tournament at Sunningdale with a stroke to spare on six under par after rounds of 66 and 68.
His remark was a reference to the 2001 Championship at Royal Lytham, when he was tied for the lead with 17 holes to play but was given a two-stroke penalty and finished third after being told by his caddie that he had one club more than the permitted 14 in his bag. The Welshman, 47, failed to qualify last year.
Also on his way to St Andrews will be Peter Baker, his former Ryder Cup partner, but José María Olazábal, twice a Masters champion, failed to qualify and Justin Rose has a tough task after a first-round 72 in the American qualifier at Canoe Brook yesterday, leaving him eight shots off the pace.