[6bmike]

True it would cost him a few bob to play and it is not free to play on the tour.

But wouldn’t it be nice to think that just four times a year that they could play for the love of the game in the major championships. In the case of the open there is the potential to get their name on a trophy next to Tom Morris, Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods and many more in between. Now what could be sweeter than that?

Anyway its none of my business where Woody Austin choses to play or not play. As an Irishman playing in The Open Championship was a boyhood dream of mine and its pretty hard for me to understand someone giving up the chance to play in it.

PS

It was nice to see Tom Pernice fly out in the last minure when we was promoted to first alternate. He got his place in the field when Olazabal had to withdraw through injury

As a descendant of County Meath, I would never miss the Open, even if it isn’t played in Ireland. I still dream I could play in the Irish Open.

For Woody, and the likes of Hoch and Lietzki it is a long expense haul to rack up a big number. Even Bobby Jones dismissed the style and courses in his young ignorance. Many winners like Hogan came but just once or twice. Even Arnie didn’t make it every year after being credited in 1960 for his role in bringing colonists to the Open. Trevino didn’t play some Masters (for a whole different reason). I’m sure Woody as Lietzki has, will regret his decision one day. I think he is more concern about solidify his Tour card for many more years.

"We shall not fear the trumpets and the noise
Of battle, for we know our dreams divine,"
Joseph Mary Plunkett _ Poet-Martyr