PGA EuroPro Tour Stars On Course For Open Places - 14/08/2007

A HOST of players with PGA EuroPro Tour experience came through the first stage of qualifying for The Open on Wednesday.

Graeme Clark produced one of the best rounds to move into next week's second stage with a 65 at Pannal, with Aran Wainwright and Fraser Kelley among the others to qualify in Yorkshire.

Daniel Wood (68) and Adam Frayne (69) came through the Minchinhampton qualifier, with Ben Welch missing out despite a round of 70.

Current PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit leader Daniel Gaunt (71) came through the Effingham qualifier, while Craig Matheson was one of the players to progress from Falkirk Tryst.

John Wells was one of just two players to hit a round of 69 at Notts, with Daniel Greenwood among the other qualifiers after shooting a 72.

Philip Abbott and Yasin Ali landed rounds of 68 at Old Ford Manor, while Sean Whiffin and James Conteh also qualified, but Jeremy Kavanagh (73) is a reserve for second stage.

Paul Curry - who won last week's Bartercard Stoke-by-Nayland International Open - was among the players to come through the Orsett stage, with his score of 68 matched by Chelmsford's Lloyd Kennedy.

Sandeep Grewal (69) and Mark Ramsdale (70) won through at Pleasington, while Adam Scallon's 72 saw him qualify at Prestbury.

Zane Scotland, Mark Fairhall, David Porter and Grant Willman came through the Royal Ashdown Forest event successfully, with Nathan Main a reserve.

Ally Mellor's 69 saw him through at Rochester & CObham Park, and Graham Gordon progressed with a 72 at Little Aston, although Joe Templer missed out two shots back.

David Fisher (pictured) shone in the Ashridge leg with a 68, with Guy Woodman, Matthew Woods (both 70) and Lee Gauthier (72) also qualifying.

Andrew Willey's 67 saw him fare well at Trentham, with Warren Bladon, Michael Welch, James Holmes and Matthew McGuire also successful.

At County Louth, Jason Law (72) and Ciaran McMonagle (74) ensured a place at stage two next week.

Over 1,700 players started the Regional Qualifiers, with Local Final Qualifying taking place at Conwy, Formby, Wallasey and West Lancashire on 10 & 11 July.

The 96 players at each course will be competing for three places each at The Open.