Olazabal and Montgomery out in the Open
RYDER Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal and Scotsman Colin Montgomerie missed out on qualification for the Open Championship last night at Sunningdale, where England’s Sam Walker succeeded in qualifying for the first time.
Montgomerie, who could yet reach the Open by finishing within the top five at either the French or Scottish Opens, hit just a single shot too many when adding a level-par 70 to his morning’s three-under 66 while Olazabal fell to one under with rounds of 67 and 71, despite being five under after 14 holes.
“I made a great start,” said Olazabal. “But then had too many putts and when I hit a bad shot on the 16th that was it.”
Walker only finished behind compatriot James Morrison in a field of 96 competing for 10 qualifying places, but was delighted after his 10 previous attempts to qualify had ended in disappointment.
He said: “It’ll be one of the best things in my life.”