England’s Lee Slattery has given new definition to not missing his tee time but also being present for the birth of his second child.
Slattery, who had finished a gallant runner-up last week in the Czech Masters, is contesting this week’s European Masters high up in the Swiss Alps but with his wife, Faye back in Britain and about to go into labour.
However, instead of rushing back home to be wife the 39-year old Slattery got onto ‘FaceTime’ to see his wife give birth late on Tuesday night.
England’s Lee Slattery redefines not missing his tee time but being present for the birth of a second child (Photo – European Tour)
“Actually, I was told that if I wanted the baby to come I should go for an Indian meal, so here I was in an Indian restaurant and I got a phone call from my mom to say my wife had gone into labour”, said Slattery.
“But being so far away and this being such a tricky place to get to, there was no way I could make it back home once I found out she had gone into labour.
“So, I rushed back to the apartment and there all of a sudden, two hours later there was a baby.
“It was very, very exciting watching it happen and I was quite emotional as I suppose you would be not being there but my wife has been great.
“I had two weeks off recently thinking she might be early like our first one. That didn’t happen so I had to come back to the Tour as I was on a good run of form”.
Though Slattery’s celebration of seeing his wife give birth did not carry on into his opening round on the Crans-sur-Sierre course with the two-time Tour winner managing just one birdie but also six bogeys in a five-over 75.
Three players – England’s Tyrrell Hatton, Aussie Scott Hend and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez – head the event with six-under 64s.
Jimenez is the oldest winner on the European Tour having celebrated his 21st Tour win in capturing the 2014 the Hong Kong Open then aged 50 years and 133 days.
Now the 53 years, eighth months and two days old pony-tailed, cigar-smoking, Ferrari-loving Jimenez has brilliantly ignited hopes of again proving age is no barrier’.
Hatton capped his round by holing his second shot for eagle at the short par four, 12th hole while the big-hitting Hend lost out in a play-off a year ago.
And Lee Westwood, who is celebrating his 500th Tour event, carded a one-over 71.
