NICK Faldo will be hoping to challenge defending champion Darren Clarke at this year's Benson and Hedges International Open which starts at The Oxfordshire in Thame on May 13.

Faldo, who didn't compete in last years B&H, missed the cut at last week's Masters and will be hoping for a return to form, in his bid to get into Europe's Ryder Cup team.

He will be up against some tough opposition, however, including Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, Bernhard Langer - all of whom finished in the top 15 of the Masters - Seve Ballesteros and Costantino Rocca.

It won't be known if Jose Maria Olazabal, who clinched his memorable second win in the Masters at Augusta on Sundday, will be coming to Thame until next week.

The four-day event will be preceded by a celebrity pro-am on May 12 which includes Stephen Hendry, Jeremy Guscott, Ian Botham and Hale and Pace.

Tickets for the tournament are available from the Benson and Hedges ticket office at The Oxfordshire on 01844 278292.

Story date: Thursday 15 April

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