Peter at the Palace

By ALAN THATCHER

Peter and Sally at the World OpenPeter Nicol at last turned up for his date with the Queen at Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE.

Nicol, 26, was awarded the gong in the 1999 New year's Honours List after becoming the first home winner of the British Open title for 25 years. But he could not accept his first invitation to the Palace because of tournament commitments.

He made up for it on Tuesday when he visited the Palace with his father, Pat, and his girlfriend Sally Leonard.

"It was a wonderful day for everybody and the Queen asked me about my career and how long I intended to play.

"It was great seeing Henry Cooper, who was there to be knighted, and Sue Barker (another MBE), but there were not many celebrities in the queue.

"Most of the honours went to ordinary people for their service to the community."

Nicol didn't have time to celebrate afterwards. He had to take Sally to a RADA audition and then drop off his dad at the airport for the flight back to Aberdeen.

Peter at the British OpenThen it was back on court for another punishing training session as he stepped up his efforts to return to full fitness after collapsing in the final of the British Open in his home city in December.

Nicol spent three days in Aberdeen Infirmary after suffering from food poisoning and severe dehydration.

He returned to action in the New York Tournament of Champions three weeks ago but lost to fellow Scot Martin Heath in the semi-finals.

"Martin played really well but it was obvious that I was far from fully fit," said Nicol.

"I knew I had to do something about it and have spent the past fortnight on court doing extra fitness work."

Nicol hopes the hard work will pay off next week as bids for the Esso Antwerp Open title after playing a Bundesliga match for German side Paderborn today (Sunday).