Doubting Thomas is Bjorn again in Forest flourish

AFTER a couple of years of near mental collapse, Thomas Bjorn bounced back to the top in the glorious sunshine at the Forest of Arden, Warwickshire, yesterday.

The 34-year-old Dane saw off Englishmen Brian Davis and David Howell in a play-off in the Daily Telegraph/Dunlop Masters to pick up a prize for €417, 753 and capture his first title since the 2002 BMW International in Munich.

Bjorn was so depressed by his failure to finish off the job at the Open that he dropped down the rankings to such an extent that his only involvement in last year's Ryder Cup team was as one of Bernhard Langer's lieutenants.