Murphy’s Irish Open: Ryder stars battle for Open spot

Jean Van de Velde and Ian Woosnam could be fighting it out for a place in the Open in three weeks’ time.

The two Ryder Cup stars are facing the prospect of having to qualify for Royal Lytham at the moment - Woosnam for the first time in 18 years and Van de Velde only two years after his Carnoustie crash - and both have been drawn in the starting line-up at Southport and Ainsdale, one of four final qualifying courses.