GOLF: Thomas Bjorn has been fined by the European Tour for his "unacceptable" criticism of Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam.
A day after his damning attack, having been overlooked for a wild card, Bjorn issued an apology but that was not enough to prevent the Dane being fined a "substantial sum", believed to be around £10,000.
A statement from European Tour executive director George Grady read: "Thomas Bjorn is a passionate and outstanding supporter of the European Tour.
"Nevertheless, the European Tour will not tolerate comments such as the personal and unacceptable remarks made by Thomas on Ian Woosnam, the 2006 Ryder Cup captain.
"We are aware that he has apologised to Ian Woosnam, and he has also apologised to the Tour. Thomas's commitment to the Tour has never been in doubt.
"On this occasion he accepts his immense disappointment caused him to make spontaneous but inappropriate comments.
"We take this matter extremely seriously and have fined Thomas a substantial sum. He has accepted this fine. This very unfortunate episode is now closed."
Earlier in the day, Bjorn said: "Having had a day to reflect on my comments I would like to apologise for the hurtful and personal nature of my remarks to European captain Ian Woosnam.
"I realise I have made a mistake and, as such, have unreservedly apologised to Ian for my comments, which were made in the heat of the moment following the disappointment of not making it onto the European team."
Having failed to earn an automatic place Bjorn, a member of two winning sides and an assistant to Bernhard Langer last time, was hoping for one of the two wild cards.
Woosnam, however, had decided on Darren Clarke for one of them and after long deliberation almost up to the point of the televised announcement went for Lee Westwood as his other pick.
"All I want now is for all the media, players and golf fans to get behind the team for the matches in Ireland and for my comments to be forgotten," Bjorn added.
World number one Tiger Woods will be only the second seed at next week's World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth. Organisers of the event, which offers golf's biggest first prize of £1 million, have confirmed defending champion Michael Campbell will be the top seed. World rankings decided the positions of all 16 players in the draw last year, but that was because holder Ernie Els was unable to play.
Projected draw: (1) Michael Campbell v (16) Simon Khan, (8) David Howell v (9) Colin Montgomerie, (5) Adam Scott v (12) Paul Casey, (4) Retief Goosen v (13) Mike Weir, (3) Jim Furyk v (14) Robert Karlsson, (6) Ernie Els v (11) Angel Cabrera, (7) Luke Donald v (10) Tim Clark, (2) Tiger Woods v (15) Shaun Micheel
Swede Henrik Stenson is up to a best-ever 11th in the world rankings after his play-off victory in the BMW International Open in Munich on Sunday.
The latest ranking list was delayed until yesterday morning because the US Tour's Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston had a Monday finish.
Latest leading positions: 1 Tiger Woods 22.59, 2 Phil Mickelson 8.83, 3 Jim Furyk 8.17, 4 Vijay Singh 7.59, 5 Retief Goosen 6.63, 6 Adam Scott 6.27, 7 Ernie Els 5.90, 8 Sergio Garcia 5.85, 9 Luke Donald 5.68, 10 Geoff Ogilvy 5.66 11 Henrik Stenson 4.74, 12 David Howell 4.57, 13 David Toms 4.41, 14 Trevor Immelman 4.32, 15 Colin Montgomerie 4.31, 16 Chris DiMarco 4.27, 17 Padraig Harrington 4.19, 18 Jose Maria Olazabal 4.05, 19 Tim Clark 3.87, 20 Chad Campbell 3.66.
