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SOUTHPORT - New Zealand golfer Mark Brown left Royal Birkdale bitterly disappointed with the decision by Sandy Lyle and Rich Beem to withdraw midway through a rain-plagued opening round of the British Open.
Scotsman Lyle, winner of the 1985 British Open and 1987 US Masters, walked from the course after 10 holes after having recorded double bogeys at the seventh and eighth holes then a triple bogey at the ninth.
American Beem, who won the 2002 US PGA Championship, was heading for his highest British Open score in seven appearances when he withdrew at the ninth.
Brown had been at the course since 6am (local time) as the second reserve and quickly became first alternate when Japan's Toru Taniguchi withdrew with injury.
After a fruitless 10-hour wait, he expressed frustration that Lyle and Beem should withdraw without citing injury.
"I'm not sure of their reason, whether they were injured or whatever but if they weren't it's disappointing, very disappointing from my perspective," he said.
"It's up to the players to decide if they are fit to carry on but like I said if it wasn't fitness or an injury then it's disappointing for the guys waiting to get a start."
The Johnnie Walker Classic champion was quizzed if he had ever walked in from a round.
"No but then that is not really relevant," he said.
"All I know I would have been out there in a flash should there had been another withdrawal.
"This is The Open. It's the premier major so it would have been a great thrill to play especially around this course. It's just a fantastic track."
Of some comfort to Brown is that he has already qualified for next month's US PGA Championship in Detroit where he will contest his first Major Championship.
His next event will be in Ohio when Brown tees up in the Bridgestone Invitational World Golf Championship starting on July 31.
He seems assured of contesting next year's British Open at Turnberry as he has an assailable lead atop the Australasian Tour Order of Merit. The top two earn automatic entry into the British Open.
- NZPA
