Golf – British Open qualifying:Shane Lowry and Gareth Maybin have secured their tickets to this year's British Open at St Andrews after both came through today's qualifying at Sunningdale Golf Club.
Lowry was in blistering form and led the standings with a two-round aggregate of 11-under 129.
In the morning round the Irish Open champion equalled a record set by six-time major winner Nick Faldo by carding a spectacular eight under 62 on the Old course. The Irish Open champion then followed it up with a 67 on the New course to sit top of the pile.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens and confidence was a bit low, so I changed my putter this morning,” said Lowry after his morning round. “After nine holes I said to my caddie I’m going to have to be patient and then a nice 20-footer at 10 kicked me off.”
Scotland's Andrew Coltart was second with rounds of 66, 65 while Maybin held third on eight under after he carded rounds of 64, 68.
Further back there was a battle on to secure one of the 10 slots up for grabs to play at the Home of Golf next month in the 150th Anniversary year of the Open.
Darren Clarke missed out as scores of 68, 69 left the 41-year-old on three under. Paul McGinley (70, 68) and Gary Murphy (72, 66) were a shot further back on two under.
Peter Lawrie was one of the later starters after he opened with a 67.
Only a handful of the 96 players who started out still have to finish.