Webster attracts Woosnam interest
Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam was today taking a close look at one of the surprise contenders for his European team in the Italian Open in Milan.
Of the current top 10 in the qualifying table, only Paul Broadhurst’s inclusion comes as something of a shock.
Broadhurst enjoyed a 100% record on his Ryder Cup debut in 1991 at Kiawah Island, partnering Woosnam to a fourball victory over Paul Azinger and Hale Irwin and beating Mark O’Meara in the singles.
The 40-year-old midlander has failed to make the team since, however, and went 10 years without a European Tour victory until his Portuguese Open triumph last year.
Successfully defending the title in March, coupled with second place in the Qatar Masters and sixth in the Volvo Masters at the end of last season, sees Broadhurst currently occupying the eighth qualifying place for the team.
And even if he slips out of the automatic qualifying places as the season progresses, impressing playing partner Woosnam during the first two rounds at Castello Tolcinasco would boost his chances of a wildcard pick for the K Club in September.
Defending champion Steve Webster no doubt also harboured dreams of a cup debut after ending his 10-year wait for a maiden tour title last year.
However, the 31-year-old midlander failed to build on that success during the remainder of the season, with fifth place a week later at the British Masters his only other top-10 finish.
The former British Open championship silver-medallist has also failed to record a high finish in his eight events so far this season, but is hoping to find inspiration on returning to the scene of his overdue triumph.
“As soon as I pitched up on Tuesday it felt different to every other event,” Webster said. “I have some great memories after winning here last year.
“I just hope that I can play well and defend the title well. I played great last week and the result (joint 62nd) was terrible considering how well I played.
“I have been in and around the top 20 but I’ve got to push that little bit harder to get into contention. I just have to sharpen up my putting. The greens are very good here so if you can get the stroke going you know you will make a few putts.
“I’ve got a new putter in the bag this week as well so hopefully that will work well for me.”
