SHANE LOWRY and Peter Lawrie will have to rely on Plan B – earning the final exemption via the Scottish Open – if either is to make it to next month’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
Lowry shot rounds of 69 and 68 for a 36-hole total of 137, two-under, in the International Qualifying at Sunningdale yesterday to miss out by two shots on a play-off for the final place. Lawrie, meanwhile, shot 72 and 69 for 141 for tied-47th. Paul McGinley withdrew after an opening 75.
England’s James Morrison (with rounds of 63, 68) on 131 led the 10 qualifiers who secured their spots in the Open.
Meanwhile, Royal Dublin assistant professional Patrick Devine made good use of local knowledge when he led the Regional Qualifying for the British Open at the Dollymount links yesterday, shooting a three-under-par 69 to lead the five qualifiers from the venue.
Devine was joined by Kerry native Mark Murphy (71), winner of the US-television show Big Break Ireland last year, Irish amateur international Simon Ward (72), Royal Dublin amateur Seán Ryan (73) and Carrickfergus professional Ross Oliver (73) in securing places in the final qualifying over four courses in Lancashire next Tuesday.
