Hopefuls go forward in Open bid

For 212 assorted amateurs and professionals the dream of playing in The Open at Birkdale is still alive following yesterday’s 16 regional qualifying tournaments around Ireland and Britain.

Now comes the really tough part – in final qualifying next Monday and Tuesday they join 76 exempt players, including 1999 runner-up Jean Van de Velde, and only 12 of them will make it through to the championship proper.

Scotland’s Jack Doherty shot a course-record 67 to finish top of the Berwick-upon-Tweed, England qualifier.

Winner of the 2003 Australian amateur title and a Walker Cup reserve, Doherty is currently 27th on the EuroPro Tour and birdies on the final two holes gave him a one-shot win.

Barry Taylor, the most prolific winner on the PGA North Region circuit, chalked up his 10th victory of the season with a six-under-par 65 at Pleasington.

He achieved it with a borrowed driver. “I cracked my original one a couple of days ago,” said the 30-year-old.

David Green’s six-under 65 made him the top man at Prestbury, and he commented: “The Open on my own doorstep is all the incentive I need.”

Chris Cannon, whose father Dave is one of golf’s best-known photographers, was among the amateurs to star, a 69 giving him victory at Royal Ashdown Forest.

Among those who did not make it were former Italian Open champion Jim Payne, leading amateur in the 1991 Open at Birkdale; James Conteh, son of former world boxing champion John; and John Spreadborough, who at Musselburgh returned a 28-over-par round of 99.

It included a 13 at the par-five seventh and brought back memories of the late Maurice Flitcroft, a hoaxer whose repeated attempts to make it into The Open included a 121 at Formby in 1976.

Spreadborough was heading for a three-figure score until he parred the final three holes, and he said afterwards: “I’ve been playing golf for 20 years and I spent two years in Austria working with the European Golf Teachers’ Federation.

“Everybody dreams of playing in The Open and I thought it would be good to be involved. It’s my first experience of qualifying and it was fun to have a go.”

Royal and Ancient Club official Nigel Watt stated: “Neither of his playing partners had complained that they were unhappy. He had a bad day.”

There was also a 96 from American Nathan Robinett at Effingham.