Former Ryder Cup star forced to play in Senior Open with WALKING STICK as organisers snub crippling health issue

COLD-HEARTED golf chiefs have blocked a bid to use buggies at the Senior Open.

That’s in spite of former Ryder Cupstar Paul Broadhurst needing a WALKING STICK to get round Carnoustie.

Getty

Paul Broadhurst is one of the early leaders at the Senior Open[/caption]

Getty

But he had to make his way round the course at Carnoustie with a waking stick[/caption]

Getty

Broadhurst suffers from severe arthritis[/caption]

The Englishman still produced one of the rounds of the day, his three-under 69 leaving him one off Canada’s Stephen Ames at the top of the leaderboard.

But the six-time European Tour winner admitted crippling arthritis in his ankle made playing a misery.

Broadhurst said: “It started in March last year and it’s tough. Monday was the first time I’d walked on a golf course in a year.

“First thing in the morning it feels good but, as you start pounding the miles, it gets worse.

“It’s severe arthritis, bone on bone. It’s an operation and a year out probably and no guarantee you’d be able to play to this level.

“So I’ve made a decision that if I can get through next season, I would probably call it a day.

Getty

“There’s a lot of pain. Not always, but it’s like sticking a knife in when your foot is raised, so walking uphill is difficult.

“You block out the pain when you’re over the ball, I guess. The difficulty is in getting to the ball.”

Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer, who opened with a 74, claims up to ten in the field are struggling with major fitness issues, himself included.

Langer, 66, is in constant pain after tearing his Achilles while playing pickleball earlier this year and has managed to walk 18 holes only twice since February.

Players on the Champions Tour in the States are permitted to use golf carts under the American Disability Act.

But the committee are blanking pleas on the basis that all but one of the players seeking assistance have been able to walk within the past 12 months. A spokesperson said: “Competitors can request use of motorised transportation on or before the closing date for entries.

“Five applications were carefully considered before one was granted to Tim Herron.”

Paul Lawrie and Jean van de Velde both shot 75s, 25 years on from their legendary Open showdown on the same links.

Getty

Broadhurst said the pain in his ankle is “severe”[/caption]

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page