Bjorn gets British Open lifeline

Singh's withdrawal gives Danish veteran a precious chance to challenge young guns

SANDWICH, United Kingdom, - Denmark's Thomas Bjorn has been handed a last-minute British Open lifeline to return to the scene of his tragic near-miss here eight years ago.

It was at Royal St George's in 2003 that the Ryder Cup stalwart had one hand on the Claret Jug as he led the Open by three strokes with just four holes to play only to suffer a meltdown that evoked memories of Frenchman Jean van de Velde at Carnoustie four year beforehand.