Golf:Niall Turner was within a shot of winning a chance to play at the British Open in today's final local qualifying in Kent.
The Team Ireland golfer was playing the Prince’s course right next door to Open venue Royal St George’s, but despite breaking par in each of his two rounds he fell agonisingly short of forcing a play-off for one of the three places available.
Turner returned rounds of 69 and 71 to finish on four under par, the same mark as former US Open champion Michael Campbell. Francis McGuirk, playing at his home course, and Thomas Shadbolt from Brocket Hall GC both qualified on five under, with Windermere’s Simon Edwards winning the event on seven under.
Limerick’s Tim Rice was also in action at Prince’s but two rounds of 73 left him well him tied for 18th position.
Portmarnock’s Noel Fox withdrew from the event at Littlestone after an opening round of 77, while Brendan McCaroll played just the one round at Royal Cinque Ports, where he shot a 72.
Glasson’s Colm Moriarty finished in 34th position after rounds of 70 and 71 at Rye, while Co Louth amateur Simon Ward shot 74 in each of his two rounds to finish on 12 over. The event was won by England amateur international Tom Lewis from Nick Faldo’s Welwyn Garden City club after he carded rounds of 63 and 65 to finish on eight under.
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