RYDER CUP Yorkshireman Mark James has replaced Jose Maria Olazabal in the European qualifier for Monday's £2.4 million Andersen Consulting World Championship at The Oxfordshire.
When Olazabal withdrew at the start of this week because he is still suffering from the rheumatoid arthritis in both his feet, the organisers approached the European number one, Ian Woosnam.
But the Welshman said yesterday "I turned it down because I don't want to be away,, from home around the New Year.
The winner of the qualifying event goes through to the four man world finals in Arizona on January 4th-5th. Barry Lane won the $1 million title last year.
James plays Ryder Cup teammate Sam Torrance in the first round on Monday, while Lane faces Miguel Angel Jimenez, Colin Montgomerie takes on Costantino Rocca and Bernhard Langer meets Jesper Parnevik.
∙ Jim McBride, the young Heath assistant professional, had a mixed day at Royal Tara yesterday during the Irish qualifier for the Sunderland of Scotland Masters final. On his way to carding a 76, McBride had a hole in one at the 13th which earned him a magnum of champagne.
