Scots thin on the ground as a new Open nadir looms

Published Date: 02 July 2008 WHEN the Open began, it was dominated by Scots to the extent it took 18 stagings of the championship before a golfer of any other nationality finished in the top four. Now, however, Scotland will enjoy more meagre representation when the 137th championship is held at Royal Birkdale from 17-20 July. After Alastair Forsyth narrowly missed out at the Sunningdale qualifier on a berth among the world's elite, only Colin Montgomerie, Sandy Lyle and Paul Lawrie are currently sure of representing the home of golf in Southport. The last time the Open wa s at Birkdale in 1998 there were 14 Scots in the field. Scotland's previous nadir came at Hoylake two years ago when Monty, Lyle and Lawrie flew the Saltire with Scott Drummond. It was Scotland's smallest representation in the Open since the championship... [read full story]