Philip Walton, Europe’s Ryder Cup match-winning hero in 1995, and 1999 runner-up Jean Van de Velde are among 12 players to have come through the 36-hole final qualifying for next week’s Open Championship.

A week that began badly for Thomas Bjorn ended no better today when he withdrew from the final round of the European Open at The London Club.

John Daly bounced back from last week’s missed cut in Spain to share the early lead at the Italian Open in Milan today.

Welshman Bradley Dredge and England’s Paul Broadhurst fed off each other and led the pursuit of Swede Christian Nilsson when the Italian Open began in Milan today.

Jean Van de Velde and Ian Woosnam could be fighting it out for a place in the Open in three weeks’ time.