Daly Really Hates To Fly And It Shows

Defending British Open champion John Daly is ready to buy a private plane to avoid airport security problems in the United States.

“I’ve never liked flying too much, and in the United States I still try and drive to a lot of the tournaments,” said Daly, who had a 2-under 69 Saturday for a 1-under 212 for three rounds.

“But it’s really scary what’s happening at airports,” he said, speaking three days after a TWA jetliner exploded, killing all 230 aboard.

“I think security at airports is so bad. If I had as much money as Greg Norman I would have bought a plane by now,” he said. “But I’m actually now thinking seriously about it. I reckon it would be safer these days to have one. You can get a good-enough plane for a million dollars, but I think I’d be looking to spend $3 to $4 million for a good second-hand one.”

More travel woes

Getting here for Mark McCumber was more difficult than playing this dry, bunker-laden course in northwestern England.

McCumber, nine strokes off the lead after three rounds, left Newport News, Va., at 3 p.m. last Sunday bound for Newark, N.J. But bad weather around New York forced the plane to return to Newport News.

“On Monday we left Virgina again, this time heading for JFK in New York. The weather was still bad and we had to land at Farmingdale (Long Island) in pouring rain. It was a really scary landing and the pilot had to fight to get the plane down.

“We then took a fast car to JFK but missed the flight to Manchester,” he added.

“Then we were told we could catch the 7:30 p.m. flight to London and a shuttle on to Manchester. But the London flight was 2 hours late arriving so we missed the connection.”

McCumber arrived in Manchester at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday - 44-1/2 hours after first trying to leave the U.S.

“I must admit, when we were being held up in America I thought about not coming. But it’s the Open.”

Thanks, Nick

Irishman Paul McGinley, the surprise leader after two rounds, owes some of his success to Nick Faldo.

In 1991, the year McGinley turned pro, he was invited with 30 other promising players to a weekend golf seminar with Faldo.

“Meeting Faldo took away the aura you have for the top stars,” said the 29-year-old. “Watching him hit and just being around him was a big help. He’s just the same as everyone else - very good but not invincible.”

Spare change

With the balmy, Mediterraneanlike weather here, they could almost give away the official souvenir umbrellas. But that’s not the case. In fact, none of the official merchandise is a giveaway.

The official Open golf umbrella sells for $43.40. A baseball cap is $34.10, the deluxe cap with the corduroy bill is $38.75, and the official straw hat runs $46.50.

The most expensive item is the official Open jacket at $186.

The steep prices didn’t deter a Japanese television crew, though. It swept through one souvenir stand here this week and spent $16,275.

“They took 50 jumpers, 50 caps, 50 of most everything,” an employee said.