Sandwich too tough for Woosnam
Ian Woosnam, third in the Open two years ago, today found himself merely the warm-up act for potentially one of the most enthralling days in championship history.
Woosnam finished third at Lytham in 2001 after famously being penalised two shots on the second hole of the final round for having 15 clubs in his bag – one more than allowed.
The former world number one had to qualify for this year’s championship however, chipping in on the first hole of a play-off to secure his place at Royal St George’s.
The Welshman could not maintain that form in the tournament proper though, rounds of 73, 75 and 80 leaving him joint last after the third round.
That meant he was the odd man out of the 73 remaining players and out first this morning at 8am, taking the option of having a non-scoring marker playing alongside him.
Three birdies and four bogeys took him to the turn in 37, and further dropped shots at the 11th and 12th left Woosnam 19 over par and propping up the rest of the field.
Woosnam would at least be finished in plenty of time to settle back and watch the leaders battle it out for the Claret Jug, the final pairing of Thomas Bjorn and Davis Love not out until 2:20pm.
Bjorn is the only player under par on one under, a shot ahead of Love and two clear of a group containing Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia.
