Austin’s absence benefits Green
Green felt he should have already been in the Open field Austin and Hunter Mahan earned places in the field on Sunday through the mini-Order of Merit on the US Tour.But the American said: “I don’t know how to play that type of golf. I would probably go and shoot two high numbers and make a fool of myself.”Austin, 43, has played in the Open just once, missing the cut on the links of Royal Lytham in 1996.Green replaces him as the highest non-exempt player on the world rankings.He is currently 39th, having on the Austrian Open last month - a week after the Open Championship cut-off
point for the world’s top 50.Unlike compatriot Austin, Mahan will take his Carnoustie spot.”Any time you can play in a major it’s good and you get a little bit of experience,” said the 25-year-old. “I’ve been there two years, it’s a ton of fun, golf in its pure form.”All I know about Carnoustie is just kind of what I’ve seen on TV. I’m going in there pretty fresh and will have to come up with a game plan.”Mahan finished 36th on his debut at Troon in 2004 and 26th at Hoylake last July.Another American, Pat Perez, also qualified thanks to his third place finish inthe AT&T National in Maryland.