Drummond in the Open

He did just that yesterday with a superb 66 that got him into a tie for third place with Mark Mouland, amateur Adam Hodkinson and Ben Willman.

Drummond delivered at the first play-off hole, shooting a par as Mouland, Hodkinson and Willman all fired bogeys.

Now he is hoping that it will prove a good omen that when his fellow Scot Paul Laurie won the Open in 1999 he took the same route - qualifying at Downfield.

"Carnoustie is possibly my favourite course anywhere. To play there is an honour," he said.

"To play in the Open is going to be fabulous. It would be fantastic to follow in Paul Laurie's footsteps. I didn't realise he qualified here.

"I am hoping now to go along that route. To come from way behind and shoot a low score and win in a play off, that would be fantastic.

"I have played in the last three Opens because of my exemption for winning the PGA Championship and played very well at St Andrews two years ago and I think it was that experience which got me through today."

Drummond actually drove into a fairway bunker on the first play-off hole but still collected his par.

He said he was between clubs as he had 170 yards to the green but he hit his target with a smooth five iron and successfully two putted.

"To turn up and play the course here, after the tough courses we have played on Tour for the past three weeks, was almost a little bit of light relief", added Drummond.

"Having said that, the guys have played great and the scoring has been good."

Drummond, who has struggled to make cuts on Tour for the last 15 months, said: "I have been setting myself up with chances but not converting them so it was good to see a few putts go in today.

By Bob Davies