The Open regional qualifying

[TigerTime]

Yeah me too. As posted above, one guy failed to break 100, plenty towards the bottom of the leaderboard playing bogey golf.

I know it's possible for even the best players to have a complete mare, but I suspect some of the people who enter aren't at the level claimed in their application form.

I might go for it next year, just to see if I can top 50 would feel better than winning a club comp!

At the same time I'm obviously not at the level required and wouldn't want to take a spot away from someone more deserving or a better player.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I might go for it next year, just to see if I can top 50 would feel better than winning a club comp!

At the same time I'm obviously not at the level required and wouldn't want to take a spot away from someone more deserving or a better player.

There were a number of guys who entered that I have played with and against and beaten in various comps but mainly at home course which is tight and short

Couple more years and might have a crack at seniors

 

[Springveldt]

I thought they made it tougher to enter ? I know it's tough , but 104 not sure he should be out there

Yeah, that's ridiculous. I know everyone can have a bad day etc and I know it was windy on Sunday (played in 30mph+ winds myself right on the coast) but someone at the level of deciding to play in Open qualifying should never be shooting 104 around those courses. This isn't Carnoustie from the championship tees in 30mph winds they are playing.

I can only assume he's either manipulated his handicap to get in or he has never played a links course in high winds before.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

On the 'everyone can have a bad day' note
My friend who was a very good club Pro, County Champ etc, decided to have a final go at The Open.
He was in his early 40's still of a standard to play at that level. He shot a 93 at Deal [I think] in the qualifier.

His assistant nearly qualified and was 1st reserve for The Open with a week to go, everyone said don't worry there are always some late withdrawls
That year there was none.
He played a practice round the day before as a single with Player, Nicklaus, Trevino and Sam Wanelce immediately behind him.

 

[evemccc]

If I had the handicap to gain entry to Regional Qualifying, I absolutely would enter it. Why not? Good courses, proper competitive golf environment and comp. flag placements

Watch this space..

Spoiler alert: I don’t, and won’t ever have such a handicap

 

[Mel Smooth]

What's the specific ruling that allows them to skip the first qualifying round?

Not going to lie, I think Finchy might be better than Graeme McDowell now. Just putting that out there.

I’d take McDowell in a head to head.

The lad from our place that got through with a T1 at Fulford on Monday played Sam Bairstow in a matchplay event in April. The difference between Habib and Sam was telling, 10 yards further off the tee, straighter, and more efficient on and around the greens.
Pro golfers are unbelievably good.

 

[Orikoru]

I’d take McDowell in a head to head.

The lad from our place that got through with a T1 at Fulford on Monday played Sam Bairstow in a matchplay event in April. The difference between Habib and Sam was telling, 10 yards further off the tee, straighter, and more efficient on and around the greens.
Pro golfers are unbelievably good.

Bairstow is young though, McDowell is 45 and has been past it for half a decade.

 

[sunshine]

If I had the handicap to gain entry to Regional Qualifying, I absolutely would enter it. Why not? Good courses, proper competitive golf environment and comp. flag placements

Watch this space..

Spoiler alert: I don’t, and won’t ever have such a handicap

You're only 8 rounds away from achieving qualifying standard. Don't stop believin'

 

[evemccc]

You're only 8 rounds away from achieving qualifying standard. Don't stop believin'

With course management and swing tips from Rick Shiels and co. I’m sure I’ll achieve my goal

 

[Orikoru]

With course management and swing tips from Rick Shiels and co. I’m sure I’ll achieve my goal

Probably be better to go for Finch since he seems to know what it takes now.

 

[Hobbit]

My son got through to final qualifying on one of the 3 occasions he entered. Final qualifying was at Hillside for him.

Mark James was well past his best by then, and around 60 years old. He was on the practice ground next to us. My lad can hit a ball, and has picked up a bit of cash on a few occasions in NW PGA stuff. Mark James at 60 was light years ahead of him.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Bairstow is young though, McDowell is 45 and has been past it for half a decade.

But he’s reached levels that Bairstow probably won’t ever reach.

And like I said, Peter Finch won’t be anywhere near the levels of Sam Bairstow.

 

[Springveldt]

Bairstow is young though, McDowell is 45 and has been past it for half a decade.

45 or not he'd kick Finch's arse.

 

[IanMcC]

Young amateur from our club has made the Final Qualifying at West Lancs. Caolan Burford. Best of luck to him. He is currently +4.0, so has a chance if he plays well.

 

[BubbaP]

Bairstow is young though, McDowell is 45 and has been past it for half a decade.

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[Junior]

Cheers. I thought that, but I also read yesterday that Jamie Donaldson still had to do the first qualifying round, so I wasn't sure. Guess he hasn't been playing at the top for a while though.

Jamie Donaldson gets straight in to final qualifying at Dundonald. I think maybe because of his money list ranking ? I might be wrong though.

He does play most weeks on the DP World tour.

 

[harpo_72]

On the 'everyone can have a bad day' note
My friend who was a very good club Pro, County Champ etc, decided to have a final go at The Open.
He was in his early 40's still of a standard to play at that level. He shot a 93 at Deal [I think] in the qualifier.

His assistant nearly qualified and was 1st reserve for The Open with a week to go, everyone said don't worry there are always some late withdrawls
That year there was none.
He played a practice round the day before as a single with Player, Nicklaus, Trevino and Sam Wanelce immediately behind him.

Deal ? Would that have been princes? Or St George’s ( dunno if that was ever a qualifier though just a major)
Both can embarrass the best golfers with ease.

 

[pendodave]

Deal ? Would that have been princes? Or St George’s ( dunno if that was ever a qualifier though just a major)
Both can embarrass the best golfers with ease.

Deal is Royal Cinque Ports.
I've attended a final qualifier there. It's a quality course. If there's a westerly breeze, the last 3 or 4 holes play directly into it. Brutal.

 

[harpo_72]

Deal is Royal Cinque Ports.
I've attended a final qualifier there. It's a quality course. If there's a westerly breeze, the last 3 or 4 holes play directly into it. Brutal.

I might have played there in the East Kent League.. not sure .. or with my Golfing guru ( sadly passed away over 10yrs ago now.. he was an utter legend and fanatic.. he introduced me to Kent coast and the golfing emporium near Chatham/Rochester that was an Aladdin’s cave )

 

[LincolnShep]

Not going to lie, I think Finchy might be better than Graeme McDowell now. Just putting that out there.

GMac beat Shiels round Doral after giving him a nine shot headstart. I know Finch is better than Shiels but I'm not sure he's ten shots better.