Goose bumps in bid to retain title

EUROPE’S wait for a first winner of the US Open since 1970 was always certain to continue when Lee Westwood and Peter Hedblom made just the starts they were hoping to avoid at Pinehurst yesterday.

In joint seventh place overnight, both double-bogeyed the 469-yard second to fall eight adrift of leader and faltering champion Retief Goosen, on course for a third victory in the event in five years.

Westwood and Hedblom, the Swede who came through the qualifier at Walton Heath two weeks ago by playing the last four holes in five under par, were not alone in losing ground.