Five Irish golfers in final qualifiers for Open

FIVE Irish golfers have made it through to final qualifying for next week's British Open at Muirfield.

And for former international Stephen Browne, an ex-European amateur champion, it could be a case of deja vu.

Last year Browne earned himself a place in the Muirfield line-up with a five-stroke victory in the European amateur championship in Denmark. He decided to give it up by turning professional but could be back in the event if he survives the final hurdle at Gullane this weekend, when he will face the likes of three-times Open champion Gary Player.

Browne shot a 72 yesterday at Baltray to take the fourth and last qualifying spot from the field of 54 in a play off.

Michael Hoey, who as British amateur champion played in last year’s Open and the US Masters in April before turning pro, shared top spot with Waterville amateur Mark Murphy.

Both players made it around the Baltray links in a five-under 68, and both grabbed golden eagle threes at the 11th hole. Hoey, who picked off three birdies, took top spot on a better back nine to secure a final qualifying 36-hole berth at Luffness in eastern Scotland on Sunday and Monday.

Murphy pegs up for the two-day test at North Berwick.

Graeme McDowell also made the cut. The 22-year-old Portrush lad was the third player to better the par of 73, shooting two under. “I putted much, much, better than I did at the K Club last week,” said McDowell, whose final 36-hole qualifier will be at Dunbar.

Browne won fourth place in a five-man play-off, and moves on to Gullane. The scramble included Warrenpoint’s Paddy Gribben, who picked up at the first tie hole.

Brown’s birdie four at the long second hole saw off three amateurs, Padraig Dooley (Cork), Colm Moriarty (Athlone) and Danny Sugrue (Killarney).

Former Chelsea and Blackburn striker Roy Wegerle failed in his bid to qualify for the Open.

The 37-year-old, who turned professional at his new sport less than a year ago, scored a five-over-par 77 at Hadley Wood in north London.

With only eight of the 120 players going through to the final qualifying on Sunday and Monday, that was never going to be anywhere near good enough. In January Wegerle made his European Tour debut at the Dunhill Championship in his home country South Africa, but finished last after rounds of 76 and 80.

‘‘I’ve become hooked on the game, but it’s a mystery tour and I don’t know where it’s all going to end up,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve just got to be patient. I’m practising six hours a day just like everyone else, but I can’t afford to set any goals until I’ve played some more tournaments.”