Immelman stings back

Twenty-four hours after being taken to hospital following a bee sting, Trevor Immelman lies in joint fourth place at the Madrid Open.

Twenty-four hours after being taken to hospital following a bee sting, Trevor Immelman lies in joint fourth place at the Madrid Open.

Immelman had only a limp and swollen knee yesterday to show for one of the most frightening episodes of his life and managed a four-under par 67 to be only three shots behind Switzerland's Julien Clément.

"It was scary for a while - in the ambulance they kept asking if I could breathe," said the 24-year-old. "They were worried that my tongue would start swelling, but it never reached that and I was released after about 90 minutes."

Clement leads by two from Australian Terry Price and the Swede Johan Edfors. The tournament favourite Miguel Angel Jimenez stood four over after seven holes, but battled back for a one-under 70, while David Howell, the other member of last month's Ryder Cup team taking part, could do no better than 75.