SEVERIANO Ballesteros cut a sorry figure as he trooped off the 18th green yesterday lunchtime, writes Spencer Robinson. The flashing smile and charismatic demeanour which have become synonymous with the Spaniard were conspicuous by their absence as he toiled to a far-from-impressive round of three-over-par 74. He ended the day 11 shots behind pace-setting Brian Watts in joint 100th position and is in serious danger of missing the cut for the final two days which will be made after today's second round. ''I played like a dog,'' said Ballesteros, distressed at his inability to reproduce the glittering shot-making which has been a hallmark of his game over the past 15 years. For the time being the sparkle has disappeared and spraying the ball to far-flung corners of the course yesterday, Ballesteros looked a pale shadow of the man who has won five major championships. To his credit, he did not look for excuses. ''There was no wind and the course played quite easily. But I played very poorly and that's why I shot a 74,'' he said. ''Everything went wrong and on days like this it looks very difficult to play the game of golf.'' One of the lowest points of his round came at the par-five 12th where he hooked his drive out of bounds. Although he managed to escape with a six, he dropped another shot at the last after finding sand once more with his approach. A mystery illness forced American Glen Day to make an early exit from the tournament. After securing a par at the 18th - his eighth hole of the day - the former Malaysian Open champion headed straight for the clubhouse. ''I was sick twice on the course and another three times when I got back to the changing rooms,'' said Day. ''Maybe it was something I ate last night. ''I feel disappointed because I was playing pretty well, but it got to the stage when I just couldn't go on.''
