Damron misses St Andrews

Robert Damron joins Scott Hoch in missing the 2000 Open at St Andrews...

Martin
Thu, 13 Jul 2000
Damron misses St Andrews

Robert Damron is the latest name to pull out of The Open Championship, joining Scott Hoch as the only two players in the World's top fifty to miss the big occasion next week.

Damron, who qualified by finishing fifth in a mini order of merit of those not already exempt for St Andrews, will prefer to play the BC Open and try to work his way up the USPGA money list to regain his card for next season.

"I hate not to go, but I'm not excited about it this year, for some reason," Damron said.

"It's a long trip and it always takes a lot out of me. If I go over, I have to miss the week before and week after (on the PGA Tour). I feel I could push higher on the money list if I stay here, rather than going over there and risk losing my game.

"I'm playing well, but I'm not sure I'm playing well enough to go and contend for the lead on Sunday, especially on a course like St Andrews where I've only played once. It's definitely a track for guys who know their way around there."

Damron will be upsetting Australia's Greg Chalmers, who finished one spot out of qualifying automatically. The Aussie left hander will go over early to the home of golf to pre-qualify at one of the four final qualifying venues near St Andrews.

"I always planned that if I had enough money up (to be sure of keeping my card), I'd go," said Chalmers. "I'd do anything to get in that event."