Golf: McLean campaigns for St Andrew's outing

WHAT a difference a year can make to a golfer. Twelve months ago Paul Broadhurst was the talk of the European Tour after shooting 65 to finish second in the German Open and claim a place in the Ryder Cup. Now he is so unhappy with his game that he will not even be competing in the Dusseldorf event, which starts today.

Even the incentive of challenging for a place in England's team for the Dunhill Cup at St Andrew's later this season is not enough for him. 'I don't think I'd make the cut, let alone finish high enough to take a Dunhill Cup spot, so I'm taking the week off to practise,' he said.

With no Nick Faldo, England's Dunhill team at the moment would be Steve Richardson, Gilford and the rookie Gary Evans. Evans, though, stands only pounds 4,300 ahead of Jamie Spence, while Peter Mitchell, Andrew Sherborne and Mike McLean also harbour hopes.

McLean would be home and dry but for the two-shot penalty that cost him victory in the Dutch Open four weeks ago. 'It cost me pounds 66,000 on the day, but much more than that if I really stop and think about it,' McLean, who was spotted on television moving a bramble behind his ball, said. Each member of the winning team at St Andrew's receives pounds 100,000.

Scotland's trio of Colin Montgomerie, Gordon Brand Jnr and Sandy Lyle cannot be dislodged, so only Brand Jnr plays this week, while Wales failed to qualify. Ian Woosnam is not so concerned about that as his own form. Last week the former Masters champion shot 80 to miss the cut in the US PGA. 'If the Ryder Cup was being played next month I wouldn't want to play,' he said. 'I took three weeks off after the Open and I've lost my game again.'

Bernhard Langer thinks he might have to score at least 20 under on the Hubbelrath course to gain a fifth win in the tournament.

------------------------------------------------ CARD OF THE COURSE ------------------------------------------------ Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par 1st 415 4 10th 369 4 2nd 435 4 11th 221 3 3rd 359 4 12th 479 5 4th 137 3 13th 386 4 5th 315 4 14th 192 3 6th 562 5 15th 427 4 7th 209 3 16th 394 4 8th 492 5 17th 572 5 9th 400 4 18th 411 4 Out: 3324 36 In: 3451 36 Total: 6775 72 ------------------------------------------------