Six of the best as Lawrie claims place in Open

DUBLINER Peter Lawrie shot outstanding rounds of 65 and 67 over the New and Old courses at Sunningdale yesterday to become the sixth Irishman through to the British Open Championship at St Andrews next month.

Having made the cut in the French Open on Friday, Lawrie struggled through the weekend and wasn't very confident as he teed it up over the par 72 New course yesterday morning.

However, the 2003 European Tour Rookie of the Year could do little wrong as he strode to a superb 65 and followed that up in the afternoon with a 67 over the celebrated Old Course to make sure of being at the Home of Golf in a few weeks time.