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Player done after 47 Opens

 
Published July 21, 2001|Updated Sept. 10, 2005

The fans rose and cheered as Gary Player made his final walk to the 18th green on Friday.

The only player in the 20th century to win the British Open in three different decades (1959, '68 and '74), shot 82 in his second round at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. He finished at 159 and missed the cut by 15 shots.

A 2-foot bogey putt at the 18th was his last. Age limits mean he loses his exemption after this year.

"I've had 47 wonderful years of this tournament and I must say I've loved my time over here and I've supported this tournament to the hilt," said Player, 65, whose first Open was in 1956 at Hoylake. " I love people, I love golf and they gave me such a wonderful ovation on the last hole. It's something you will never forget in your life."

IN THE RUNNING AGAIN: A two-time runner-up who relishes playing windy links courses, Jesper Parnevik is ideally placed for another shot at the Open.

Parnevik trailed leader Colin Montgomerie by two strokes after opening 69-68.

"I feel very comfortable right now. I am probably playing better than I have been in a very long time," he said.

Parnevik's consistency has put him in Open contention three times before. The Swede was second to Nick Price in 1994 and Justin Leonard in '97, and tied for fourth behind Mark O'Meara in '98.

FIRST-TIME SENSATION: Joe Ogilvie is making the most of his chance in his first Open, standing 5 under.

The 27-year-old American is playing because he grabbed one of the eight qualifying spots in the Western Open. He shot 69 there to qualify, but only after saving par on the final hole.

"I made about a 25-footer for par on the last hole to see me in," Ogilvie said. "I didn't realize what that would mean but it was a bit fortunate."

AU REVOIR, JEAN: Jean Van de Velde, who led the 1999 Open by three strokes going into the final hole but lost in a playoff, made a quick exit. He opened at 6-over 77 and wasn't much better on Friday at 75. He never recovered after going double bogey-bogey-double bogey to open his round Thursday.

ETC.: American Frank Lickliter celebrated his first Open appearance with a 6-iron ace at the 212-yard fifth. Chris Perry (knee and wrist) and Rocco Mediate (back) withdrew with injuries.

_ TIMES WIRES

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