County trio keep Turnberry bid alive

Three Shropshire players have kept their Open dream alive – by booking places in final qualifying for Turnberry.

A total of 15 county professionals and leading amateurs lined up at Coventry and Enville yesterday for the first step on the road to the Open Championship.

At Enville, two players confirmed their spots, Bridgnorth pro David James leading the way with a joint-second best round of the day of 70.

One shot back was Church Stretton amateur Jonathan Gidney, who also made sure he will go to the final qualifying events, held on local courses around Turnberry on July 6 and 7.

Over at Coventry, it was Shrewsbury amateur Duncan Harris who excelled with a three-under par round of 70 to book his passage.

"I was three over after five and then from there shot six under," he revealed.

"I looked back after and weighed it all up and realised I hit every green in regulation and hit all the par fives in two.

"I'm staying pretty calm – if I can keep my form then I think I've got a good chance of qualifying.

"I got to the final round of qualifying last year but that was my first time and that experience should stand me in good stead."

The Shropshire's James Busby shot a 73 at Enville, a result good enough to secure him a place as reserve No 34 should other players withdraw. Former Shifnal amateur Richard Prophet, now playing out of Sandwell Park, shot a 72 to be named reserve No 2.

Scores for Shropshire players:

Enville: David James (Bridgnorth) 70 - qualified, Jonathan Gidney (Church Stretton, amateur) 71 - qualified, James Busby (The Shropshire) 73 - reserve, Owen Evans (Wrekin) 74, David Gojka (Shifnal) 76, Dan Francis (Ludlow) 77, Matthew Edwards (Hill Valley) 77, Stephen Russell (Bridgnorth) 79, Alex Morton (Shifnal) 79, Craig Simmons (Patshull Park) 82.

Coventry: Duncan Harris (Shrewsbury, amateur) 70 - qualified, Billy Mills (Ludlow, amateur) 77, Andrew Humphreys (Llanymynech) 86, Mark Trow (Llanymynech, amateur) scratched.

By CHRIS HUDSON