Bjorn back on top at Sandwich

Thomas Bjorn
12 April 2012

Thomas Bjorn has been to Hell and back since he blew the 2003 Open at Sandwich, but if that was the nightmare today was the dream - a five under par 65 on the championship's return to the Kent course.

Yet on a day when runaway US Open winner Rory McIlroy and world number one Luke Donald had to work really hard for 71s, there was more to it than just a popular golfer rising to the top at a venue that brought him such heartache.

The 40-year-old Dane was the sixth reserve for the event nine days ago and knew he was playing only late on Monday when Vijay Singh withdrew. Bjorn lost his father Ole after a long illness two months ago, and said through tears at his post-match press conference: "He meant a lot to me, he would have been very proud of what I did today. That's all I've really got to say."

Bjorn reached three under after eight holes before missing a two-foot par putt at the next. Far from it leading to a downward spiral, however, he came back with another birdie at the 11th and had three more in a row starting at the long 14th.

On the short 16th, the hole where he needed three attempts to get out of a bunker eight years ago, he gave a sigh of relief and then a big smile when his tee shot not only avoided trouble, but kicked off a bank to eight feet.

McIlroy, trying to be the youngest Open champion since 1893 just a month after he was the youngest US Open champion since 1923, had his mind mostly on what he was doing, of course.

But after coming back from two over after three the 22-year-old commented: "On the 11th tee we're like 'What is he doing? How is he six under par?' Fantastic - great to see him doing well. It would be a great story if he could get himself into contention again going into Sunday."

Donald, clear winner of the Scottish Open last Sunday, mixed three birdies with four bogeys, while Lee Westwood, third and second the last two years, left himself with catching up to do as well after a hat-trick of bogeys from the third. With six to play he was still three over, with Bjorn leading by one from 46-year-old Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

English amateur star Tom Lewis, who took the British boys title at the links, was inspired playing with 61-year-old Tom Watson like Matteo Manassero was when Watson came second at Turnberry two years ago.

Lewis, 20 and from the same Welwyn Garden City club as Sir Nick Faldo, turned in a three under 32 to be in third place before bogeying the short 11th.

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