Relieved Woosie misses out on Open

Ian Woosnam failed to win a place in the Open Championship at Sunningdale today - but just to be playing again was a relief.

Last year's Ryder Cup captain has not completed a Tour event all year because

of post-viral fatigue syndrome and his last competitive round was an opening 77

in the Irish Open in mid-May.

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The 49-year-old had rounds of 69 and 71 for a level par total and said: "I got

tired the last nine holes. I just collapsed, but I got round.

"My feet are aching, my legs are aching. I'm knackered. But at the Masters I

could only walk about 150 yards because I was in spasm."

Woosnam, who pulled out of Augusta in April before the first major of the year

even started, has still to earn his first cheque of 2007, but feels well enough

to enter this week's European Open and next week's Scottish Open.

Each event offers one spot at Carnoustie, but it is only available to someone

finishing in the top 10 and Woosnam's lack of golf this year has to make that

highly unlikely.

"I've mostly been playing in a buggy the last couple of months. I'm only

60-70%, but at least I know what it is in. I got a virus in Asia and it took me

over the top.

"I've basically got to rest. I've bashed my body for 30 years and I've just

got to eat properly not drink too much - very difficult!

"People have taken 10 to 15 years to get over this, but hopefully I can play

every week now."