Unlikely hero May is in the money

Two months ago it would have seemed unimaginable that the only man waving the American flag at the Cisco World Match Play Championship which starts at Wentworth today would be Bob May.

Then, however, came the week which brought the 32-year-old Californian to everyone's attention when he battled Tiger Woods all the way in the US PGA Championship at Louisville.

May matched Woods' 31 for the last nine holes and looked as if he might have stolen the crown when he sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th green.

But Woods followed him in from six to force a three-hole play-off and, with a little bit of luck, won it to become the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to capture three Majors in a year.

May's invitation this week guaranteed him a minimum £50,000, with £250,000 being collected by the winner on Sunday.

His New Zealand caddie Max Cunningham would love to have his share of that because he missed out on the US PGA championship.

"I've been suffering high blood pressure problems and my doctor told me that if I flew to Kentucky the way I was there was a danger of me having a stroke.

"I obviously did the right thing by not going, but it was a bit galling watching Bob win £359,000."

There will be more big pay- days together, though, if May - now secure of his US Tour place - can rediscover the same form.