Mixed greens could spice up state of play

HERE IS a prediction for 2006 — you will not see Jean Van de Velde, or any other man, compete in the Women’s British Open.

And here is another. You will not see Michelle Wie, or any other woman, line up alongside Tiger Woods when the Open championship returns to Hoylake near Liverpool after a gap of 39 years.

Van de Velde was simply making a point, a protest if you like, when he revealed last week that he wanted to play with the women.