Retief Goosen comes through Open qualifying at Prince's
Wednesday 4 July 2018 12:21, UK
Retief Goosen held his nerve to book a place at The 147th Open after coming through Final Qualifying on Tuesday.
With only three places for Carnoustie on offer at each of the four qualifying venues, Goosen was one of only three players at Prince's to finish under par over 36 holes in blustery conditions on the Kent coast.
The 49-year-old South African birdied the long seventh - his 16th - in his second round and then drained a lengthy putt for another crucial gain on the eighth green, although he then closed out a battling 72 with a bogey at the ninth.
But his final score of one under was enough to earn his 20th appearance in The Open, and his first since 2015, as he qualified along with England's Tom Lewis and Icelander Haraldur Magnus.
"I am glad it played tough today as I play better when it is difficult," said two-time US Open champion Goosen, who has posted eight top-10 finishes at The Open. "I drove the ball well and my long putting in the wind was good.
"This will be my last Open as a regular tour player, as next year I'll be with the seniors, but I'm looking forward to it. Carnoustie is always tough but I'm sure it will be in great condition. Hopefully, it wouldn't be as windy as today."
Lewis, who was the leading amateur in the 2011 Open at neighbouring Royal St George's, led the way on four under par, finishing two strokes clear of Open debutant Magnus.
The first Final Qualifying event to be held at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian was won by teenage Scottish Amateur champion Sam Locke, one of many young Scottish players to have been mentored by 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie.
Locke's rounds of 69 and 66 got him to seven under as he finished a shot ahead of compatriot Grant Forrest, with Thomas Curtis earning his second Open appearance on five under par.
Lancashire players dominated Final Qualifying at St Annes Old Links, with James Robinson, Jack Senior and Marcus Armitage progressing to the third major championship of the year.
And at Notts (Hollinwell), former European Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson earned his first Open appearance since 2010 as he qualified in second place behind Ashton Turner, with Rhys Enoch claiming the final berth.
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