McDOWELL WITHDRAWS

GRAEME McDOWELL has decided to pull of out of final qualifying for The Open today after his clubs went missing in the “black hole” of Charles de Gaulle airport.

The Portrush ace (38) jetted out of Paris after the Open de France on Sunday, but his clubs never made it to Manchester ahead of the 36-hole Open qualifier at St Annes Old Links for three spots in the field Carnoustie later this month.

“I have officially withdrawn from @ TheOpen qualifying tomorrow at St Anne’s Old Links. I cannot give 100% without my own equipment which has been mishandled by @AirFrance and must turn my attention to @ DDFIrishOpen this weekend. Thanks for all the support,” he tweeted last night.

Thirteen Irish players are seeking just 12 places in The Open from one of four 36-hole qualifiers.