PGA EuroPro Tour stars edge closer to The Open - 30/03/2007

A NUMBER of PGA EuroPro Tour players have taken another step closer to competing in The Open Championship.

The first of 16 regional qualifying tournaments was held on Tuesday at the Royal Dublin Golf Club and of the 12 who advanced into the next stage, eight have played on the Tour this year.

Among those moving to the Local Final Qualifying Round were Michael McDermott (Stackstown) and Brian McElhinney (North West), who won the 2007 tour events at Stoke-by-Nayland and Roganstown, Dublin respectively.

Also making it through were Justin Kehoe (pictured above, Birr), Alan Murray (Greystones), Padraig Dooley (Cork) and Daniel Sugrue, while Leslie Walker (Dundalk) and Barrie Trainor (Bray), who have each played on one tour competition, were also in the dozen.

Two further players - Mark O'Sullivan and Noel Fox - finished just outside of the top 12 but are now on the reserve list.

The remaining 15 regional qualifiers will take place today at Ashridge, Effingham, Enville, Gog Magog, Minchinhampton, Musselburgh, Notts, Old Fold Manor, Pannal, Pleasington, Prestbury, Rochester & Cobham Park, Royal Ashdown Forest, Silloth on Solway and Trentham.

Those that qualify will then compete in one of four Local Final Qualifying events at the start of next week and the top three in each tournament will reach The Open, one of the four majors in world golf.

Date posted: July 4, 2007