The Open Sandwich | Ewan Murray

Paul Lawrie was not amused to find himself in a bunker at the 4th. Photograph: David Davies/PA

The former Open champion Paul Lawrie became the first player in this year's tournament to hit a drive into the 4th hole's notorious coffin bunker, that of James Bond's Goldfinger fame.

Despite the moving forward of tees at the hole, owing to strong wind, the bunker appeared in play for a host of competitors. Most opted to take a safe option left, but Lawrie hit his tee shot into the trap. "The tee should have been 50 or 60 yards up there to give you a chance," he said.

A triple bogey seven on the hole would not have helped Lawrie's mood. Yet he had time for some banter with spectators. He added: "There were about 40 or 50 people out watching my group. I spoke to the crowd at the 15th and said: 'You're mental. I'm getting paid, I've got to be here, you don't!'"

Rumours swept Sandwich on Saturday that Steve Williams, the growling caddie of Tiger Woods, had parted company with his long-time boss. The tale had emanated from Williams's native Australia and gained credence at the Open. But Williams would only venture: "I'm caddying for Adam Scott this week."

For bunker stattos, crucial information has arrived regarding those who played into traps during the first two rounds of this year's Open. It reads thus: "A total of 391 bunkers were found during the second round, 100 more than Thursday. It brings the two-day total to 682, 111 fewer than over the opening 36 holes [at Royal St George's] in 2003." Ryo Ishikawa found the most bunkers, 12, on Thursday and Friday. Fredrik Jacobson was the only player to avoid all bunkers over the first two days. Bunkers on the 11th hole claimed most victims, 70 in two rounds.

There was minor panic in the Royal St George's media centre on Saturday morning when the name of Bubba Watson disappeared from the giant scoreboard. The adhesive holding up the American's name had failed. Still, that didn't stop some from asking, with Watson's very public aberrations at the French Open in mind, if he had fled to Paris to escape the wild weather.

The lucrative flip side of the horrendous third-round rain and wind came for the R&A, who saw queues at the Open's merchandising tent stretch outside the marquee itself. Unsurprisingly, waterproof clothing flew off the shelves. Ice cream vans around the course were quieter, for some reason.

Bo Van Pelt was forced to endure the worst of Saturday's inclement conditions. Upon signing for a perfectly respectable 73, he revealed at least one of his friends in the United States would enjoy watching the scenes on television. "Before I left, he's like, 'I hope it's pissing rain and blowing on you over there,'" Van Pelt said. "He got his wish today. So he's in Indiana laughing right now at me." With friends like those ...

View the original article here

World's top two crash out as Clarke leads way at Sandwich

Lee Westwood left the course without facing the media after finishing four over par at the Open. Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

The world's top two players, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, were the most high-profile casualties of a compelling day at the Open Championship that ended with five of the top 10 missing the cut.

Donald, the world No1, dropped four shots in the closing four holes in slumping to a second-round 75 for an aggregate of six over, three more than qualified for the weekend. Earlier his fellow Englishman Westwood had signed for a 73, thereby missing out on the third and fourth rounds by a stroke.

Both had been strongly tipped to end their search for a first major victory but they will be onlookers as the leaders, Darren Clarke and Lucas Glover, head into the third round. Clarke and Glover are tied at four under par, one shot clear of Chad Campbell, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

In a tightly packed field, 30 players are sitting at level par or better. Tom Lewis, the young amateur, failed to replicate his heroics of Thursday but remains at one under par. But his efforts have been overshadowed by the demise of the world's top two and other leading contenders including Graeme McDowell, ranked No9, from Northern Ireland.

Donald said he "couldn't get the feel" of the Royal St George's greens, a rare admission from someone with such a renowned short game. "I believe in my ability but for whatever reason it is not happening," said an exasperated Donald. "I feel like I have tried everything; I've been playing 10 years and played countless majors and come close a couple of times but I have to figure out a way to contend a bit more. I have to figure out a better way to play the Open. I have to do a better job of adapting to conditions on the day."

Donald has just one top-10 Open finish to his name in a decade and has missed the cut five times during that period.

Westwood, whom Donald replaced at the top of the pile, opted not to face the media after his second round. The 38-year-old three-putted three times on Friday, the latest example of how troubles on the greens are undermining his attempts to end a major drought. One clear and extenuating circumstance for Westwood, on this occasion at least, was noticeably tough pin placements.

Nick Watney, the world No10, and Matt Kuchar, who is three places higher, complete the group of the top-ranked players who departed Kent earlier than expected.

McDowell offered a rather harsh critique of his mindset after signing for 77 on Friday. "I was ready for this tournament but by the time I walked off the first green on Thursday I wasn't ready any more, it's very frustrating," he said. "I've always enjoyed the mental side of the game but I wouldn't say I'm enjoying it so much right now because I'm a bit of a mental case out there. I need an attitude readjustment. I need to care a bit less about the game.

"My attitude has been pretty average the last two days, just not having a lot of belief or confidence in myself. You can't wait for the golf ball to make you feel happy because it ain't going to make you feel happy every day."

The Northern Irishman's premature exit from Sandwich continues an inconsistent 2011. He has failed to hit anything like the heights which saw him claim the US Open a year ago.

"I didn't set out in 2011 trying to eclipse 2010 but deep inside I know I can do it, so maybe I want it too badly," he said. "This is the Open. We are under pressure. We want to do well, maybe I've been trying a little too hard the last couple days."

A disastrous 78 led to Ian Poulter tumbling out of the tournament, as did former champion Ernie Els. Padraig Harrington had his attempt to claim a third Open title ended after 36 holes. The Irishman improved on his Thursday score of 73 by two shots but still missed out, on the same two-round total as Westwood.

View the original article here