Four players, including Ryder Cup star Phillip Price of Wales, have withdrawn from tomorrow’s 36-hole British Open qualifier at Sunningdale in England.
Price was due to join 95 other players looking to secure one of 10 places into the July 19th starting British Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.
Phil Price out of Monday's 36-hole Open qualifier at Sunningdale. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
Price was among the early finishers on the final day of the BMW International Open and fighting back from a third round 78 to shoot fourth day 68 for a one under par tally.
However the 45-year old Pontypridd player gave no reason for his withdraw from the Sunningdale qualifier.
Price, who has not contested a British Open since 2004, was due to play the two rounds in the company of Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie.
Also electing not to tee-up tomorrow is Gemany’s Alex Cejka, India’s SSP Chowrasia and South African Jason Knutzon.
They have been replaced by the England pair of Richard Bland and Ben Barham along with South African Richard Sterne.
But while Price has withdrawn, Ireland’s Paul McGinley is heading to the Surrey course in the best of form after having bounced back from a 77 on day three in Germany to finish with a finish with a last day 66.
McGinley will be looking to play his first British Open since missing the cut in 2006 at Hoylake.
“I just lost my speed on the greens and lost my confidence on Saturday but it was a good reaction to come back and shoot the score I did today so I am pleased,” said McGinley.
Heading the list of qualifiers at Sunningdale is Montgomerie along with current European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal.
Olazabal will play the two rounds in the company of 19-year old Matteo Manassero who is looking to make his professional debut in golf’s oldest Major.
The Italian teenager is also the highest world ranked player at No. 62 teeing up at Sunningdale.
