Kim accepts invitation to Open

American former Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim has confirmed he will be at Sandwich for the Open next week.

Kim, who missed St Andrews last year following thumb surgery, was given the chance to return when South African Tim Clark pulled out with elbow tendinitis yesterday.

His acceptance kept England’s Simon Dyson and Dane Thomas Bjorn – runner-up at the course in 2003 after leading by three with four to play – as the first two reserves.

They are both trying to qualify through a top-five finish at the Scottish Open this week.

Vijay Singh is also all set for Royal St George’s, according to his manager Dave Lightner, after pulling out of last week’s event in America because of back spasms.

Singh was not in the Open field until this Monday when his world ranking - currently 63rd – earned him a call-up after he had earlier withdrawn from the qualifier at Sunningdale.