Fog delays German Masters

Heavy fog today delayed the start of the £1.8m (€2.86m) Linde German Masters in Cologne.

Play was due to start at 7.50am local time but visibility at Gut Larchenhof was reduced to a few yards and there was no immediate prospect of play commencing.

Nine of Europe’s Ryder Cup team are among the high-class field chasing the £315,000 (€500,000) first prize, but captain Sam Torrance pulled out this morning with a back injury.

Torrance pulled out of the BMW International in Munich two weeks ago with the same problem after nine holes of the first round, and could only manage a few holes in yesterday’s pro-am.

The Scot attempted to hit a few balls on the range today but quickly decided he would not be fit to play and withdrew.

Ironically the 49-year-old’s health seems to be getting worse as some of his team member’s improves just two weeks ahead of the delayed contest at The Belfry.

Colin Montgomerie is keen to prove his fitness here this week after the latest recurrence of his back trouble at the NEC Invitational in Seattle three weeks ago, and Padraig Harrington was given the all-clear after a scan on his injured ankle last week.

Thomas Bjorn did pull out of the pro-am with a neck injury however but the Dane has not withdrawn from the tournament proper and, as one of the later starters, has until late this afternoon to recover.

Play was eventually able to start at 9.30am, a delay of one hour and 40 minutes which meant it was unlikely the first round would be completed on schedule today.