Turner left to count cost of second round bogeys

NIALL TURNER, the former Muskerry golfer was last night left to rue four bogeys he simply couldn’t afford to concede if he was to come through yesterday’s final qualifying rounds for the British Open Championship.

Turner made easily the best attempt of the seven Irishmen seeking one of the three places available at each of four venues in Kent for Royal St Georges on July 14-17. But, after finishing with a highly creditable four under par for 36 holes at Princes, in the end he still missed out on a play-off by a single shot.

A total of 288 players, some former major champions, others distinguished tournament winners, went in search of places in the field at Royal St Georges and among those to miss out was 2005 US Open champion and former Irish Open winner Michael Campbell, who finished on the same mark as Turner at Princes.