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.