Ross Fisher today revealed he would rather cradle his first baby than the Claret Jug presented to the winner of the Open Championship.

Instead of heading to Turnberry and the season's third major, which starts on Thursday, Fisher packed his clubs after finishing eighth in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and flew home to Cheam in Surrey to be with wife Jo, who is due to give birth tomorrow.

However, if there is no sign of things happening he will be back in Scotland by lunchtime tomorrow and will prepare for The Open while awaiting further news. The 28-year-old will carry a pager and he insists he will rush for a plane if the message comes through that Jo has gone into labour.

“The Open is the most important tournament in a calendar year, but the birth of our first child is something I don't want to miss,” said Fisher, who finished fifth at last month's US Open.

“I grew up dreaming of standing over a short putt to clinch the Claret Jug. I've worked and practised for that moment all my life. But it doesn't matter if I'm six shots clear going into the final round, if Jo hasn't had the baby by then, I'm off the moment my pager goes to say it looks like the baby is on the way.”

One golfer who definitely won't be at Turnberry is Brett Quigley even though he snatched a qualifying spot by finishing second behind Steve Stricker at the John Deere Classic in Illinois.

Instead the American will go to Milwaukee to attend a memorial service for Beth Smith — the wife of Quigley's friend and fellow golfer Chris — who was killed in a car crash last month.
Quigley said: “My heart's not into playing The Open. It's a tough decision to make and I know I'll catch some heat for it, but it's the right decision.

“There's a million reasons to go. But I just feel it will be better for me to go to Milwaukee.”

Back at Loch Lomond, the honours went to Martin Kymer, who won the Scottish Open to complete a brilliant eight-day double worth more than £1million.

Having beaten Lee Westwood in a play-off for the French Open last week, the 24-year-old German again came from behind on the final day to defeat Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and overnight leader Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain by two.

Last week's cheque was worth just over £565,000 and yesterday's pay-out was £500,000. The double means Kaymer is not only second to Paul Casey on the European money list, but also just outside the world's top 10.

The former European Tour rookie of the year, who began his run of form in Paris last week with a course record 62, needed only' a final round two-under-par 69 after starting the day a stroke behind Fernandez-Castano.

He said: “Now everybody asks me about a third win in a row, but we are playing in a major and the field is going to be the best we have all year.”

Fernandez-Castano's hopes were dashed when he failed to card a birdie until the 13th. Jacquelin came through to be joint runner-up with a 66.

Disappointing on the final day were both Lee Westwood and Retief Goosen. Westwood was full of confidence after rounds of 66 and 64, but closed with a 71 to share eighth spot with Fisher.

Former title holder Goosen had been joint second teeing off on the last day, but he dropped six shots around the turn and also tied for eighth.

Ian Poulter, runner-up at last year's Open, was down in 32nd place after a one-over-par 72, but that was still better than Colin Montgomerie and Rory McIlroy managed. They finished in a tie for 46th.