Ashley Chesters and Oliver Farr chase Open places

Golfers Ashley Chesters and Oliver Farr are one step away from qualifying for next month's Open Championship at Royal Lytham.

The Shropshire duo came through yesterday's regional qualifying and will now attend next week's local final qualifying bidding to book their place alongside stars such as Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood at the third Major of the year.

Hawkstone Park's England international Chesters battled his way to one of 13 spots on offer at Mere to progress to the final stage of qualifying, while Ludlow's Farr finished in a share of top spot at Coventry to comfortably claim one of the 12 places up for grabs.

Farr, who recently won his first professional event by claiming success in a Jamega Tour event at Burghill Valley, carded a fine five-under-par round of 68 at Coventry.

The 24-year-old got off to a flying start with birdies at the first four holes. "It's great to be two good rounds from getting to the Open," said former Shropshire & Herefordshire regular and Welsh international Farr.

Chesters, who reached the last 16 of the British Amateur Championships last week, fired a round of 71 to qualify on the mark.

The pair will now compete at one of four courses around Lytham in local final qualifying next week.

Each venue will have 96 players competing for three Open spots.

There was disappointment for Shropshire's other representatives.

Oswestry's Will Jones and Lee Rooke, of the Vale of Llangollen, are both on reserve for next week after narrowly missing out at Coventry having signed for rounds of 71.

Church Stretton's Jonathan Gidney carded a 76 at Coventry while Bridgnorth's David James was two shots worse off. Mile End's Grant Edwards and Llanymynech's Sam Roberts struggled to rounds of 81 and 82 respectively.

At Mere, Hawkstone Park professionals Billy Mills and Matthew Bowyer missed out after rounds of 74 and 79, while amateur Tom Young carded a 76. Astbury Hall's David Tonks managed an 84.