Baker edges out Olazabal for Open

Shropshire golfer Peter Baker has dramatically grabbed a place at The Open later this month - and edged out a European great in the process.

The former Shropshire & Herefordshire first teamer and Lilleshall Hall member came through a six-man play-off at international final qualifying at Sunningdale yesterday.

Baker was left battling with fellow Englishman Simon Dyson and Jose Maria Olazabal for the two finals spots of the 18 on offer as they reached the third play-off hole at 8.50pm last night.

And it was the Spaniard who cracked when he made a bogey to end a marathon day.

Baker carded a morning 70 before stepping up the pace with an afternoon 66 to leave him at four-under-par. Indeed, he holed a 40ft putt across the final green to get into the play-off.

Baker will be joined at Royal Birkdale by Shropshire border golfer Simon Wakefield who made serene progress to finish as the joint top qualifier.

Much of the hard work was done at the end of the morning round, with the Eccleshall player notching four birdies in the final six holes to card a five-under-par 65, and added a 68 after lunch.

But despite the joy for two players with local connections, there were some high profile casualties with Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn and Rory McIlroy amongst those missing out.

Meanwhile, a string of Shropshire players begin their road to Birkdale in qualifying tomorrow.