Bjorn stands by as first Open reserve

Thomas Bjorn, who lost the 2003 Open at Sandwich from three ahead with four to play, remains first reserve for this week’s championship.

The Dane would have been promoted into the field if the top five at both the Scottish Open and John Deere Classic had all been exempt players.

But Scott Jamieson took the spot in Inverness and Kyle Stanley the one in America last night.

If there are no further withdrawals before Thursday’s start – Tiger Woods, Thomas Levet, Tim Clark and David Toms all pulled out last week, while Brendan Jones turned down the chance to fly from Australia because his wife is due to give birth – Bjorn will be on stand-by until all 156 players have teed off.

Eight years ago he bogeyed the 15th, took three in a bunker for a douhble bogey five at the short 16th, dropped another shot on the next and lost by one to shock winner Ben Curtis.