Bennett bags a leading role after barren years

WARREN BENNETT will look forward to seeing his old employer Trish Johnson at Lytham today but is determined that she sees him make the cut for the weekend. Former Open Silver Medal winner Bennett was caddying for Johnson on the ladies’ tour three years ago after giving up golf following a shocking collapse in form. But the 40-year-old is back in the limelight after his comeback led to a one-overpar round of 71 yesterday. A similar effort today should see him remain here until Sunday. ‘Yeah Trish is coming and it will be really nice to see her,’ said Bennett. ‘I haven’t seen her since I stopped working with her so it will be good but I will be gutted if I don’t make the cut. The competitive juices are flowing again and now it’s all about how I perform.’ Bennett was the leading amateur in the 1994 Open but hasn’t played one for a decade. Now more used to playing in small regional events — he isn’t even a Challenge Tour player — he birdied the second yesterday but was disappointed to slip to one over with a late bogey on the 17th. ‘I didn’t play great but I didn’t play myself out of contention and that’s important,’ he said. Bennett’s 11-year-old son Tom arrived on Wednesday. ‘He has had his picture taken with Rory McIlroy and he is in his element,’ said Bennett. ‘Everyone has been great with me. I don’t think they know my name but they vaguely recognise my face.’ Englishman Ian Keenan, 36, who is sponsored by a pork scratchings producer, finished six over par on his Open debut.