BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | The Open | Mistake proves costly for Woosie

The BBC's golf correspondent Tony Adamson believes the extra club in Ian Woosnam's golf bag cost him The Open.

Ian Woosnam could well have gone on and won the championship had he not spotted the extra driver in his bag.

He made a birdie at the first on the last round, a colossal start that put him right into contention for the Claret Jug.

Then he found this extra club in the bag - the two at the first turned into a four and he bogeyed the third because he was thinking about the problems caused by the errant club.

But this probably would never have happened had the first hole at Royal Lytham been a par four, where he would of been more likely to have seen two drivers in his bag.

Ian Woosnam expresses his displeasure at being penalised two strokes
The penalty clearly agitated Woosnam
Because the first is a par three, which is very unusual, Woosnam went straight to the irons.

He obviously did not notice the extra driver until he went to the second hole which is a par four.

When Woosie spotted that extra driver in his bag, there was no doubt in his mind that he had to own up.

But this is a perfect example of why golf is so fantastic - players are always constantly refereeing themselves.

The caddie, Miles Byrne, must shoulder the blame.

It's the duty of the caddie to make sure that he checks the right number of clubs are in the bag.

It was a very severe penalty - not only two shots but �200,000 in prize money and plenty of Ryder Cup qualifying points as well.

Ian Woosnam's caddie Miles Byrne
Miles Byrne put on a brave face
We all make mistakes, but to commit it at an Open Championship when Woosie was in contention makes it the sin of all sins.

His previous caddie, Wobbly, who was with Woosie for many years, certainly would not have made the mistake - nor would most other top class caddies.

Although Woosnam says he will not sack Byrne, I think this is going to rankle with him for a very long time.

It would not surprise me if they part company some time down the road.

It's a very tragic happening for Byrne and it's going to take a long time to get over it.