Open and shut case for Rafferty

Former European number one Ronan Rafferty faces a tough task to make next week’s British Open championship at Troon despite a first-round 70 in qualifying today.

Rafferty fired four birdies and three bogeys in his one-under-par round at Irvine, one of four courses being used for local final qualifying this weekend.

Only 15 places in total are up for grabs however, with Rafferty just one of 384 hopefuls competing over 36 holes for a chance to play in the third major of the year.

And there were already five better scores than Rafferty’s at Irvine, with veteran professional John Hawksworth and Woking’s Mike Bolsover setting the pace with rounds of 68.

Hawksworth, now carving out a career as an on-course commentator, last played in the British Open in 1995 but had three birdies in a flawless round which could have been much better.

“That could have been a great round, I had so many chances,” said Hawksworth, who lipped out for birdie twice and three-putted the par-five second for a par.

“But then this is only my third competitive round this year so I can’t be too unhappy.”

Changes to the qualifying structure this year, with international qualifying events introduced around the world, means the likes of Rafferty and Hawksworth are thin on the ground.

That has given club professionals and those playing on lesser tours the chance to shine, and Bolsover was grabbing the opportunity with both hands.

The 28-year-old had just returned to the game after three years out, during which time he tried to fund his golf with a spot of manual labouring.

“Cash was the problem,” Bolsover said. “I worked on building sites digging ditches. I came back and won the first event I entered and this is the fourth time I’ve tried to qualify for the Open.”