Open Door Closes For Wade - 10/01/2008

JOHN WADE endured a disappointing debut at The Open, seeing his challenge end on Friday after finishing on +14.

The Australian, who came through the international final qualifying last weekend to earn a place at St Andrews, was still in the hunt after a first round 76.

He carded three birdies in his opening round, at the ninth, 14th and 18th holes.

Wade repeated the feat at the ninth hole on Friday, but he had already dropped six shots by that stage.

Although he also shot a birdie at the 12th hole, a further five bogeys followed on his way to a ten-over-par 82.

Wade was joined on +14 by Norfolk's Andrew Marshall, who won the opening event of the PGA EuroPro Tour season at Wensum Valley in April.

Robert Rock, who finished joint tenth at the PokerMillion.Com Championship, followed up his opening round 73 with a 71 on Friday to sit at level par for the Championship.