Bjorn in last chance for Open qualifying

A week that began badly for Thomas Bjorn ended no better today when he withdrew from the final round of the European Open at The London Club.

The Dane, who pulled out of Open qualifying on Monday with shoulder trouble, fell ill overnight and left Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara to play on his own.

Bjorn, who was down in 57th place after his Saturday 76, has one chance left to make it into The Open – a top five finish in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond starting on Thursday.

The 37-year-old has played every Open since his debut in 1996, finishing joint second behind Tiger Woods at St Andrews four years later and then losing a three-shot lead with four to play to be a runner-up again at Sandwich in 2003.

Jean Van de Velde, meanwhile, will try to make it back into The Open via the 36-hole final qualifying at Hillside in Southport tomorrow and Tuesday.

The Frenchman, three clear with one to play when he had his nightmare triple bogey seven at Carnoustie in 1999, missed last year’s championship because of poor health.

He was even tested for bone cancer, but it turned out to be a virus and now he is one of 288 players going for 12 Open spots at three courses near Birkdale.

Van de Velde partners Yorkshire’s Danny Willett, the former amateur world number one just embarking on his professional career.

Scot Andrew Coltart, another member of the 1999 Ryder Cup side in Boston, is also at Hillside, while compatriot Raymond Russell, joint fourth with Justin Rose at Birkdale 10 years ago, plays at Southport and Ainsdale and the West Lancashire field includes 1995 Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton.