Angry Oldcorn in danger of missing Open

Andrew Oldcorn, already furious at being denied a place in the Open by a change of rules, was positively seething today after suffering another massive blow to his hopes of playing at Royal Troon.

The Bolton-born Scot won a five-year exemption into the Open when he captured the 2001 Volvo PGA Championship, but that was reduced to three when the Royal and Ancient Club decided to bring in a series of international qualifying competitions.

“They didn’t have the decency to write – I found out about it last November only by reading the entry form,” Oldcorn said last month.

“It’s history now, but I was extremely annoyed. The Open is massive, the biggest event of the year. Plus it’s in Scotland this year.”

Oldcorn decided not to play in the 36-hole qualifier at Sunningdale on June 28 because, he says, “the idea that they have made it easier for Tour players is nonsense”.

That left him with just this weekend’s final qualifying to seal a place in the 133rd Open and his chances of grabbing one of the 15 places available to the 384 starters looked good after a first-round 66 yesterday.

But a second-round 73, two over par, in tougher conditions today left Oldcorn in third place at Irvine – one of the four courses being used – with just four spots up for grabs.

That meant an anxious wait for the 44-year-old, who declined to comment to waiting officials after his round, which contained a double bogey six on the 11th.

The two players ahead of Oldcorn were Sweden’s Martin Erlandsson and England’s Jonathan Cheetham.

Erlandsson added a 67 to his opening 68 for a seven-under total of 135, one behind Cheetham who returned scores of 66 and 68.

“It was a question of dealing with emotions over the last two holes, keeping my mind on the job,” said the 37-year-old from Cheshire, who plays on the Asian Tour.

“I’ve played very well over two days and hopefully I’ll be in the Open for the first time after half a dozen attempts at final qualifying.

“I was delighted to be allocated Irvine, I’ve played here a few times and finished second in one event. It was a feelgood factor.”