Perhaps it’s time to putt away the broom

DES SMYTH has been a big advocate of the broom-handle putter for many years, but after watching him miss several crucial putts over the weekend, he might be better advised to revert to the more conventional model.

On Saturday evening, he hit the most exquisite iron shots to less than a yard at both the 17th and 18th holes only to miss both times.

And after losing a play-off to Tom Watson on Sunday, he was left to ruefully reflect: "I shot 68, 67 over the weekend. That was my plan. I played very well today. I had two three-putts and against that type of opposition, you can't afford things like that."