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Bjorn slapped with big fine over Ryder Cup pick comments

Snubbed Danish golfer Thomas Bjorn has been fined a "substantial sum" by the European Tour after a scathing attack on European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam.

Bjorn tore into Woosnam after claiming the Welshman only told him of his omission from the 12-man team for the upcoming tournament against the US over "20 sec-onds" in a bar.

Woosnam chose England's Lee Westwood and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke as his wildcard picks for the team even though they were ranked 21 and 30 respectively on the Ryder Cup list, compared with Bjorn who was 13th.

After letting the dust settle, Bjorn issued an apology.

"Having had a day to reflect on my comments I would like to apologize for the hurtful and personal nature of my remarks to Ian Woosnam," said Bjorn, a member of the European winning sides in 1997 and 2002. "I realize I have made a mistake and, as such, have unreservedly apologized to Ian for my comments, which were made in the heat of the moment."

"I am a passionate guy who believes the Ryder Cup is one of the world's greatest sporting events and I was desperately disappointed not to make it into the team," he added.

Bjorn was higher in the world rankings and the Ryder Cup points table than Westwood, and initially said he had "totally lost respect" for Woosnam.

However he added: "I realize that it is 100 percent the captain's choice and in Lee and Darren I believe he has picked two great players. All I want now is for all the media, players and golf fans to get behind the team and for my comments to be forgotten."
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