David Shacklady broke the course record at Montrose, shooting a nine-under par 62 to take an early lead in the second and final round of British Open qualifying.
The 40-year-old, who played in the 1998 Open at Birkdale, improved considerably on his opening round, an even-par 71, and now faces an anxious wait to discover if he has earned one of three available spots.
Open qualifying events are simultaneously running at Downfield, Monifieth, Panmure and Montrose today, with 384 players challenging for 12 places next week at Carnoustie. With qualifiers from the international events decided, this afternoon’s round will complete the line-up for the world’s oldest golf championship.
At Monifieth, David Coupland, a 21-year-old amateur, trailed his playing partner Daniel Wood by five shots following a first-round 69, but fired a six-under 65 to finish at eight under. Yorkshireman Wood responded with a round of 73 to finish five shots back, but looks set to miss out after Paul Waring and Llewellyn Matthews finished tied for second place at seven under.
New Zealand’s Steve Alker and England’s Steve Parry, at five under, currently share the joint clubhouse lead at Panmure, with Alan Murray and Paul Jones, both even par, facing a possible play-off if they are tied for second place.
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The three players currently leading at Downfield are Jon Bevan (ten under par), David Higgins (nine under par) and Ben Willman (nine under par), all of whom have completed their 36 holes.
Behind Shacklady at Montrose are Justin Kehoe, who is two shots down at seven under, followed by Sam Cairns and Philip Golding at five under. The latter pair will face a play-off if no lower scores are posted.