Immelman stung into Madrid action

TWENTY-FOUR hours after being involved in a hospital drama he hopes never to repeat, South African golfing star Trevor Immelman lies in joint fourth place at the Madrid Open.

The World Cup winner had only a limp and swollen knee to show today for one of the most frightening episodes of his life and managed a four under par 67 to be just three shots behind Switzerland’s Julien Clement. Gary Murphy is the best of the Irish players, with a three under 68.

Immelman suffered a reaction to a wasp sting on the eve of the event, his ears closing up with swelling and a feeling of pins and needles all over his body.

He was taken by ambulance to the emergency room of the nearest hospital and given two injections.

“It was scary for a while - in the ambulance they kept asking if I could breathe,” said the 24-year-old.

“They were worried that my tongue would start swelling, but it never reached that, thank goodness, and I was released after about 90 minutes.”

For nine holes of his first round Immelman, 17th on this season’s European Order of Merit, felt fine, but then his knee started to stiffen up.

“It was more painful walking than hitting shots, but I felt it on a couple of uphill ones and I’m going to get treatment.”

While Colin Montgomerie grabbed five birdies in his last eight holes for a 68, Clement had six in a back nine 30 to head the field.

The 23-year-old has not earned a single penny since July, missing eight successive halfway cuts, and has slumped to 174th on the money list. He has to finish first or second to avoid a return to the qualifying school.

Clement did have a 63 in the Spanish Open in April, but dropped to 59th with a closing 79.

He leads by two from Australian Terry Price and Swede Johan Edfors, himself down in 158th place on the money list.

Tournament favourite Miguel Angel Jimenez stood four over after seven holes, but battled back for a one under 70, while David Howell, the other member of last month’s Ryder Cup team taking part, could do no better than 75.

England’s Simon Wakefield shot 70 as he set about trying to stay on tour. Wakefield is in the 116th and last card-saving spot on the Order of Merit and under threat from no end of players.