Irish Sighs As Bjorn Misses Out

May 11 2008 By Callum Robb

THOMAS BJORN, winner of the Irish Open two years ago, has pulled out of this week's tournament at Adare Manor near Limerick.

The Dane finished fifth in South Korea in March but since then has suffered back trouble and withdrew from the Spanish Open in Seville last week.

The event has been boosted, though, by Lee Westwood's late decision to play and he joins a field headed by Open champion Padraig Harrington.

Colin Montgomerie also takes part with four Irishmen who have all won on the European Tour recently - Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane, Darren Clarke and Peter Lawrie.

Harrington brought to an end a 25-year wait for a home winner last year, beating Welshman Bradley Dredge in a play-off on the same course.

Meanwhile, European golfers will no longer have to fly to the Far East or Aruba to try to qualify for November's World Cup in China.

The Sierra club in Poland is to stage a qualifier on September 25-28 with three spots up for grabs.

And Euro Tour director Keith Waters insists it's the start of a new chapter.

He said: "By adding a third qualifier in Europe players have flexibility.

"It's the first event to be held in Poland and an international event such as this can help the growth of this magnificent game."