Schwab sets early pace at British Masters, puts US PGA pain behind

Matthias Schwab set the early pace in the British Masters with a six-under-par 66 in the first round at The Belfry on Wednesday.

The Austrian, somewhat surprisingly denied a place in the field for next week’s US PGA Championship, the second major of the year, shot seven birdies and just a single bogey.

Scotland’s Calum Hill was just one stroke behind in second place.

But compatriot Robert McIntyre, who as the world number 45 is the top-ranked player in the field, was five shots off the lead following a 71.

Meanwhile Germany’s Martin Kaymer, a two-time major winner, was even further back after a 74.

McIntyre and Kaymer, however, will both travel to Kiawah Island for the PGA Championship but a quirk of the qualifying system means Schwab is set to miss out.

Players inside the world’s top 100 are invited to the tournament, with more added if they are required to complete the field.

Twelve players outside the top 100 on May 9 received invitations, with 10 of those ranked between 101 and 122.

But Schwab, the world number 113, missed out.

“I have no idea where I am on the alternate list. They don’t really communicate anything,” Schwab told Britain’s Press Association agency.

“But I should have played better the last few weeks and that would have taken care of it. If I get in by Friday or Saturday I would love to play in it, but I wouldn’t travel as an alternate.

“I’m focused on the European Tour and there’s no guarantee, even if you play, that will earn ranking points.”

Tough rules: Third-ranked Jon Rahm says he dreams of golfing in the Tokyo Olympics but COVID-19 safety regulations are making it tough to consider playing.

The 26-year-old Spaniard, speaking Wednesday on the eve of the US PGA Byron Nelson tournament at TPC Craig Ranch in suburban Dallas, said it will be difficult to go for gold in Japan.

“I want to play,” Rahm said. “They are not making it very easy.”

Rahm said practice rounds would require long treks from the Olympic Village with the chance to stay at a nearer hotel not possible until the eve of the Olympic men’s tournament.

“The Olympic committee are not making it very easy for us to choose it,” Rahm said. “Until not too long ago we couldn’t go to our site or tournament hotel until Wednesday and we had to stay in the Olympic Village until then.

“From what I’ve been told, there’s at least one- to two-hour drive to the Golf course. That’s a lot of time to be in the car going to and coming back from the Olympic Village.”

With the British Open just two weeks ahead of the Olympics and a WGC event in Memphis the week after, Rahm said it becomes tough for players to work in a trip to Japan for the Olympics.

“Your family is not allowed. You’re not allowed to go to my other events. There are just so many restrictions,” Rahm said.

“It’s also between the British Open and the WGC. I can understand why a lot of people are prioritizing the (US PGA) FedEx Cup events and great Golf events.

“The Olympics are relatively new for the Golf and I don’t blame them.”

And Rahm dearly wants to become an Olympic Golfer after the sport made its Games return in Rio in 2016.

“In my case I want to play. It’s an absolute dream of mine to be an Olympian,” Rahm said.

“I’ve been able to win championships representing Spain as an amateur in almost every level, and to bring back the gold medal would be something amazing.”

Agence France-Presse