YOU CAN’T say he doesn’t mind a battle. David Higgins, without a tour card these days and confined mainly to the Irish PGA circuit to satisfy his competitive urges, kept alive his dream of a place in next week’s British Open when he fired a first round 70, one under, in the final qualifying at Glasgow Gailes yesterday.
Higgins, who last played in the major in 2007 at Carnoustie, finished the day in tied-10th position, with Scotland’s Elliot Saltman setting the pace with a 67.
The leading four players at each of the final qualifying venues – Glasgow, Western Gailes and Kilmarnock Barassie – will secure places in next week’s championship at Turnberry.
In a round which featured five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey five at the short 12th, Higgins responded with three birdies in four holes from the 13th, but finished on a sour note with a bogey at the last.
However, the 36-year-old Kerryman will enter today’s second round with everything to play for as he finished only one stroke outside an eight-way tie for second.
Former European number one Ronan Rafferty also featured at Glasgow Gailes, where he shot a 72, but Irish amateur champion Pat Murray could only manage 75.
Peter O’Keeffe, who plays on the Challenge Tour, produced a superb 70, one under, at Western Gailes to finish the first round in tied-third, where local amateur James Byrne set the pace with an opening 67. Corkman O’Keeffe produced four birdies but, unfortunately, finished bogey-bogey.
Jonathan Caldwell, in his rookie season on tour, gave himself some hope with his opening 70, three under, at Kilmarnock Barassie. The Ulsterman’s effort left him in tied-11th, six shots adrift of Austria’s Markus Brier and four behind second placed Lloyd Saltman, a brother of Elliot. Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal was among those who finished alongside Caldwell on 70.
BRITISH OPEN FINAL QUALIFYING– Irish scores – Western Gailes: 67 – P O'Keeffe (Douglas). 77 – D Sugrue (Killarney). Glasgow Gailes: 70 – D Higgins (Waterville). 72 – R Rafferty (Unatt), B McDermott (Castlecomer). 75 – P Murray (Limerick). 79 – J Fox (Portmarnock), J Scullion (Royal Co Down).
Kilmarnock Barassie: 70 – J Caldwell (Clandeboye). 74 – S Ward (Co Louth). 77 – D Rawluk (The Island). 81 – A Hogan (Newlands).
