Boozy Woosie flashes his cash and sets off bar brawl; GOLFER SAYS SORRY AFTER PUB PUNCH-UP.

Byline: GARY JONES 

WELSH golf ace Ian Woosnam was thrown out of a pub after flashing his cash around and starting a brawl.

The 45-year-old star has apologised after a heated row led to a punch-up at a pub in Jersey.

Woosnam - who is just 5ft 4in tall - lost his temper after a heavy late-night drinking session.

The Ryder Cup vice captain - who is a possible skipper for the event in 2004 - was ejected from the pub after a row over a pal approaching a local's girlfriend.

Woosnam admitted he had sunk a "few too many" drinks in the Farmers Inn pub in St Ouen and had been showing off his money.

The fiery Welshman belted out Tom Jones classic Delilah on the karaoke before becoming involved in an argument when one of his mates approached the girlfriend of a man in the bar.

A pub regular said: "He was in there with a couple of guys.

"The bar had closed and the towels were already laid over the taps. We heard some commotion, looked over and it was just a total bundle, everybody was bundling around the place.

"Woosnam was shouting and having a poke at everyone. It was like a cartoon.

"One of his mates who was a really big guy, possibly a minder, got hold of him around the waist like a naughty child and lifted him off the ground.

"He was just effing and blinding and punching and kicking the air as they backed away towards the door."

He added: "He was very drunk and started flashing money around and annoying people.

"He might be able to get served in the Dorchester or the Ritz, but he cannot get served in the Farmers Inn any more. This is a working man's pub."

Another drinker, Graham Pallot, added: "He's the sort of man who has a load of money and he likes everyone to know it. He was just being a bit of a prat, a pain in the arse."

Woosnam apologised for his behaviour.

He said: "It's just boys being boys. I had two too many drinks in me and obviously I should have gone home. Everyone likes to enjoy themselves and I just had a few too many.

"I had been to the golf club and then on somewhere else for a few drinks.

"I might have been a bit flash with my cash."

Woosnam added he could not recall much about the night, but would like to say sorry.

"I am embarrassed and want to apologise to anyone who I might have upset," he said.

"I don't want to get anyone into trouble. I have had a chat with the pub and I think it has all been forgotten about."

A decision on whether Woosnam will be the next Ryder Cup captain is to be made after this year's Open Championship, which starts at Royal St George's, Sandwich, on July 17.

Woosnam is keen to do the job although he has hinted he would rather captain the team in the 2006 clash at the K Club in Ireland.

Woosnam recently said how difficult he would find the health regime of today's young golfing stars.

He said: "Even during the various Ryder Cup contests, I always enjoyed a couple beers, a glass or two of wine with dinner and a few laughs.

"That's all gone now and I can't tell you how glad I am that I'm not just starting out."

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IN THE ROUGH: Fiery Ian Woosnam