Graeme McDowell has been forced to miss today’s Open Championship qualifier at St Annes after his golf clubs were lost in transit at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The BBC reports that McDowell’s withdrawal means he will now have to focus on this week’s Irish Open and next week’s Scottish Open to secure his place at the 2018 Open at Carnoustie. Three spots are on offer at each tournament.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He wrote on Twitter last night: “Need assistance from @airfrance. Flew into Manchester last night from CDG and my golf clubs are untraceable. I have a 36 qualifier for @TheOpen and really need my bag. Thanks in advance. #help.”
With no luck finding his clubs the Team Europe Ryder Cup vice-captain then confirmed: “I have officially withdrawn from @TheOpen qualifying at St Anne’s Old Links. I cannot give 100% without my own equipment which has been mishandled by @AirFrance and must turn my attention to @DDFIrishOpen this weekend. Thanks for all the support.”
When asked why he couldn’t use another set of clubs, he tweeted: “Lots of you wanting to know why I don’t grab a set off the rack and give it my best shot to get in @TheOpen. Of course I could do this, but wouldn’t be firing on all cylinders and there are 6 spots up for grabs next 2 weeks at @DDFIrishOpen and @ScottishOpen.”
The 147th Open Championship takes place at Carnoustie in Scotland from 19 to 22 July.
-
August 10 editorial cartoonsCartoons Sunday's political cartoons include a global plastics problem, GOP enthusiasm over tariffs, and more
-
5 thin-skinned cartoons about shooting the messengerCartoons Artists take on unfavorable weather, a look in the mirror, and more
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid
-
Cameron Smith: Aussie ‘mullet man’ storms to victory at The OpenIn the Spotlight Smith secured his first major title after holding off Cameron Young and Rory McIlroy at St Andrews
-
The Open 2022: predictions, players to watch, tee-times and TVIn Depth The 150th edition takes place at the home of golf – St Andrews in Scotland
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assaultSpeed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pantsSpeed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second comingSpeed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
-
Collin Morikawa: The Open champion is ‘on course for greatness’In the Spotlight Californian became the only golfer to win two majors on a debut attempt
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender firstSpeed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
