Suttie books Open berth

Golf news

Local golfer Jack Suttie produced the goods when he booked the last available place in regional qualifying for this year's Open Championship.

The scratch player who currently holds the club championship titles at both Werneth and Denton, found two birdies in the last three holes to record a 73 (+1) at the tough West Lancashire GC course.

He had five birdies in total and that was enough to finish in a tie for tenth, but that meant an eight-man play-off for two places.

One place was grabbed with a birdie at the first extra hole, a player was dropped with a bogey at the second and it was Suttie who found a birdie at the third extra (the 18th) to seal his place amongst some seasoned professionals in the next stage of qualifying next week.

Suttie (23) is now awaiting a call from the R&A to tell him which venue has been drawn to play at in the last hurdle to a dream appearance at the Open at Carnoustie, Scotland (July 19-22).