Ilonen eyes Open spot
Finland’s Mikko Ilonen, who has failed to qualify for the Open Championship five of the last six years, took a huge step towards Turnberry today with an opening six under par 65 in the 36-hole Asian qualifier in Singapore.
Four places in July’s event are up for grabs and the former British amateur champion, who missed the cut in last week’s Black Mountain Masters in Thailand, took a two-stroke lead into tomorrow’s final round.
Three-time Asian Tour winner Terry Pilkadaris, of Australia, and Japan’s Tomohiro Kondo shot 67 and among the group one further back is 17-year-old Korean Noh Seung-yul, who last month began the Malaysian Open with a 10 under par 62.
Ilonen covered the back nine in 31 with birdies at four of the last six holes. “It was very solid all the way round,” he said.
