Mallon secures top spot

For most, getting their name etched onto the old claret jug is an impossible dream; and, for many, even just getting to play in a British Open is itself a fanciful notion. Yesterday, as the wind whipped in off the Irish Sea over the Baltray links, aspiring tour professionals, club professionals and hot shot amateurs were among those fantasists chasing their shot at the big time.

Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen et al have long since earned their exemptions into next week's British Open at Royal Lytham. In stark contrast, those players battling the wind and the terrain at Co Louth Golf Club yesterday in the regional qualifying were merely taking the first step on the road with four places to next weekend's final qualifying up for grabs.

And, yet, far away from the madding crowds, there was pressure. Connor Mallon, who swapped his amateur status in North-West last year to pursue a career as a touring professional on the development circuits in the United States, secured the top place with a fine five-under-par 68.

Much of Mallon's round was constructed before the wind became a real factor, but there was considerable merit in the manner in which Waterville amateur Mark Murphy, an Irish international, produced a round of 69 in the worst of the wind.

Murphy was four-under after just six holes - the longest putt being a 20 footer for birdie on the first - and consolidated his position thereafter to book a first visit to final qualifying.

"It means I'm going to have to change my air tickets again," quipped Murphy, who had already booked flights across the Atlantic where he intends to play in both the US and Canadian amateur championships.

For the final two places, though, the pressure of a play-off was required with Leslie Walker, Paul Gray and Geoff Loughrey - who had all produced rounds of 70 - forced to fight it out for two places. In the end, Walker secured his place with a 15-footer for birdie on the second tie hole while Gray took the fourth and final qualifying place with a regulation par on the third tie hole.

So it was that the four qualifiers left Baltray clutching large white envelopes with their confirmation papers for participation in the 36-holes final qualifying on Sunday and Monday next with the chances to make it to Lytham for the real thing.

Mallon will attempt to qualify from Hillside; Murphy at Southport &Ainsdale; Walker at St Annes Old Links, and Gray at Fairhaven.

The consolation for Loughrey, as first reserve, is that he, too, is extremely likely to get a place in the final qualifying stage.

The current leader of the Irish Region PGA Order of Merit would dearly love to make it to Lytham as he is responsible with Bobby Browne for coaching British Amateur champion Michael Hoey, who is exempt into the championship.

The other three reserve places were taken by Gary Chambers, Danny Sugrue and Phil Collins after a further play-off.

Leading scores: 68 - C Mallon (North West).

69 - M Murphy (Waterville).

70 - L Walker (Dundalk), P Gray (Holywood), G Loughrey (Knockbrakcen). (Walker and Gray claimed two qualifying places in three-way sudden-death play-off)

71 - G Chambers (Killymoon), D Sugrue (Killarney), P Collins (Galgorm Castle), R Symes (Royal Belfast), R Hutton (Cliftonville).

72 - N Manchip (Royal Dublin), D Kearney (Galway), J Kelly (City Air Express), J Langan (Milltown), G Spring (Tralee).

73 - E Doyle (Heath), C Le Tonqueze (France), M Ryan (Wales).

74 - G Cullen (Beaverstown), A Thomas (Old Conna), J Carvill (Quinn Group), J Fanagan (Milltown), C McMonagle (Dunfanaghy).