Havret withdraws from Wales Open after father's death

Gregory Havret, runner-up to Graeme McDowell in last year’s US Open, withdrew from the Saab Wales Open today following the death of his father.

Havret, 34, who had made the cut at Celtic Manor with nothing to spare on two over par, came close to becoming France’s first major champion since 1907 at Pebble Beach.

He stood over a birdie putt on the final green that would have put him level with McDowell on level par, but missed it and in the group the Northern Irishman made the par five he then needed for victory.

McDowell will defend that title at Congressional near Washington the week after next – Havret is also exempt – and resumed today one behind Swede Alex Noren in his defence of the Wales Open.

In more windy conditions, some of the early starters had a nightmare time.

Havret’s compatriot Thomas Levet, who on Monday qualified for the US Open, went to the turn in a 10-over 46 with three double bogeys and four bogeys.

Playing partner Michael Jonzon and South African Hennie Otto shot 40 and Australian Andrew Dodt 43, while his fellow countryman Scott Strange – a former winner on the Ryder Cup course – dropped six shots in the first eight holes.

Not everybody was having problems - Elliot Saltman, the Scot banned for three months in January over ball-marking incidents, turned in 35 and when he birdied the 10th and long 11th he stood two under and was up from 41st to 16th.

Frenchman Christian Cevaer, meanwhile, birdied the first two holes and on three under was in a tie for 12th.