Qualifiers keep Open dream alive
Published Date:
04 July 2008
By mark garrod
FOR 212 assorted amateurs and professionals the dream of playing in the Open at Birkdale is still alive following Wednesday's 16 regional qualifying tournaments around Britain and Ireland.
Now, in final qualifying next Monday and Tuesday, they join 76 exempt players, including 1999 runner-up Jean Van de Velde, and only 12 of them will make it through to the championship proper.
Scotland's Jack Doherty shot a course-record 67 to finish top of the Berwick-upon-Tweed qualifier.
Winner of the 2003 Australian amateur title and a Walker Cup reserve, Doherty is currently 27th on the EuroPro Tour and birdies on the final two holes gave him a one-shot win.
Barry Taylor, the most prolific winner on the PGA North Region circuit, chalked up his 10th victory of the season with a six-under-par 65 at Pleasington.
David Green's 65 made him the top man at Prestbury and Chris Cannon's 69 gave him victory at Royal Ashdown Forest.
Among those who did not make it were former Italian Open champion Jim Payne, leading amateur in the 1991 Open at Birkdale; James Conteh, son of former world boxing champion, John; and John Spreadborough, who returned a dubious round of 99 at Musselburgh.
The full article contains 209 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
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Last Updated:
03 July 2008 10:42 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
