Late qualifier Williamson ready for debut

By Norman Dabell

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Last-minute qualifier Jay Williamson makes his debut in the British Open on Thursday, alongside a doyen of caddies.

The American did not even have time to go back to his home after losing a playoff to Kenny Perry in the John Deere Classic on Sunday and his normal caddie was unable to follow him to England.

When he arrived at Royal Birkdale, Williamson was delighted to recruit 65-year-old Dave Musgrove who was alongside Seve Ballesteros and Sandy Lyle for their British Open successes.

"I'd spoken to Jay over in America before so I knew who he was and knew he was a good player and asked him if he'd like me to work for him," Musgrove told Reuters on Wednesday.

"I'm sure he's going to take full advantage of being the last player to get a spot (by finishing second in the John Deere). I don't know whether he thought he had a chance in Illinois because by some miracle he had his passport with him.

"He had to send his family home because they were supposed to be going on holiday and he got on a charter flight straight after the tournament from Chicago to Manchester."

Musgrove has caddied at the British Open for five decades, accompanying Ballesteros to victory at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1979 and guiding Lyle at Royal St George's in 1985.

"He (Williamson) has not only never played an Open before but he's never played a links course so we've been going over quite a few things," said the caddie. "He actually hits the ball quite low so that's going to be a help in the wind.