Yates swaps Open for skis

NICK RODGER
GOLFER Simon Yates walked away from a play-off yesterday with a place in this year’s Open Championship at stake - to catch a flight for a skiing trip.

The 34-year-old Glaswegian was competing in international final qualifying at the Saujana club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for one of four places on offer for this summer’s championship at Royal Troon.

Having led the field after round one with an expertly crafted 66, Yates stumbled to a closing round of 74 and a missed birdie putt at the last hole saw him drop into a four-way play-off for the final qualifying spot.

The exiled Scot, who is based at the beach resort of Hua Hin in Thailand, set up a 25-foot birdie putt at the first extra-hole to give himself a real chance of an Open place, but before he could take the shot a tropical storm broke and play was suspended for over an hour.

Instead of returning to take his putt when play resumed, Yates informed officials of his decision to pull out of the event so he could catch his evening flight from Kuala Lumpur airport to go skiing.

If he had stayed on and won the play-off, the former downhill skier, who has represented Scotland in the alpine sport, would have secured a debut appearance in a major golf championship.

Yates has been on form this season, taking joint fourth place at the Johnnie Walker Open in Bangkok earlier this year, where he finished ahead of Ernie Els. Last year he was sixth on the Asian Order of Merit and he leads the way this season.

He was the leading Scot at the Dunhill last year, in 12th place. He has never been a full member of the European Tour, and plans to try his hand at the US Tour school in the future.

His father, Chris, was a Sportscene producer for BBC Scotland, while his brother, Nick, was also a top-class skier.

Asked recently why he is happy to use Asia as a base for his career, he said: "I get up and have breakfast at my penthouse flat right on the beach. It looks over the ocean and has a beautiful view. I go to the golf course and practise for two or three hours. Because it’s hot you can’t practise all day out there. At noon, I have Thai food with something to drink at my regular restaurant for one pound. Then I go for a swim or watch TV. It’s a very relaxing life."

Yesterday, Yoshinobo Tsukada of Japan took advantage of the bizarre proceedings following Yates’ departure and holed a 15-foot birdie to pip countryman Sushi Ishigaki and Jeev Milkha Singh of India for the final qualifying place.

Australian duo Scott Barr and Kim Felton and former Asian Tour No1 Jyoti Randhawa of India claimed the first three places after they all finished on five-under 139s.

This year’s Open will be played at Royal Troon from 15 to 18 July.

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