Harper and Kehoe Compete At Carnoustie - 28/03/2007

TWO players from the PGA EuroPro Tour have taken part in one of the biggest competitions in world golf - The Open Championship.

Kevin Harper (pictured right) and Justin Kehoe performed well at the Local Final Qualifying stages to secure their places in the 156-man field, alongside the golfing elite.

The main competition was held at Carnoustie in Scotland but unfortunately both players failed to make the cut that would have seen them playing on the final two days.

However, both players aquitted themselves well as Harper came equal 124th - the same position as Nick Faldo - while Kehoe ended up in equal 147th.

Kehoe had made a fine start and made par on the first eight holes to put him at one stage inside the top 15. But he ended day one on seven-over and that extended to 15-over after two days.

Harper was on seven-over after the first round and performed better on the second day with a score of 75 to leave him ahead of more than 40 other players.

But it is another important learning experience for Harper after a fine 2006 season on the PGA EuroPro Tour saw him win one event, finish second at another two and end up on top of the Order of Merit.

Irishman Justin Kehoe (pictured below), a member of the Birr Golf Club, has played on the Tour since 2004, with his best performance being tied third at Whittlebury Park, Northamptonshire in September 2004.

He has competed in each of the seven events in the 2007 campaign, claimed top 30 finishes at Collingtree Park and Bovey Castle and is currently 89th on the Order of" target="_blank" He has competed in each of the seven events in the 2007 campaign, claimed top 30 finishes at Collingtree Park and Bovey Castle and is currently 89th on the Order of" target="_blank">www.europrotour.com/Images/Articles//Justin%20Kehoe%20for%20website.jpg" width="230" align="left" vspace="3" border="0" /> He has competed in each of the seven events in the 2007 campaign, claimed top 30 finishes at Collingtree Park and Bovey Castle and is currently 89th on the Order of Merit.

This is the third successive year that two players from the Tour have made it to The Open.

In 2006 Adam Frayne and Warren Bladon both ended up in tied 142nd, only one shot behind Seve Ballesteros, Ian Poulter and Darren Clarke, while Tour members John Wade and Andrew Marshall competed in the 2005 Open.

Before the 2007 tournament, Eddie Hearn, managing director of the PGA EuroPro Tour, said: "We are all delighted that Kevin and Justin have made it through to this Year's Open Championship.

"Although the field is littered with former PGA EuroPro Tour players, it's a great honour to have two current members representing our Tour at golf's most prestigious Championship.

"We wish them all the best and hope they can fulfill their dreams at Carnoustie."

Date updated: July 24, 2007