Marshall books Open return
Norfolk's Andrew Marshall was this morning celebrating having qualified for the Open for the second time in succession and immediately set his sights on banishing the painful memories of a year earlier at St Andrews.
Norfolk's Andrew Marshall was this morning celebrating having qualified for the Open for the second time in succession and immediately set his sights on banishing the painful memories of a year earlier at St Andrews.
The 32-year-old from Dereham finished one shot behind Jim Payne, who played with Jack Nicklaus in becoming leading amateur at the 1991 Open, along with Kent's Darren Parris on five under par.
Playing in blustery conditions Marshall followed up his first round three under par 69 with another solid two under 70 at Formby in the local final qualifier to secure his place in the 135th Open Championship.
“I'm very pleased, but I was confident that I was going to get through and now I'm just looking forward to righting a few wrongs from last year's horror show at St Andrews,” said Marshall, now on his way to Loch Lomond for the Scottish Open.
Marshall shot an opening round of 84 over the Old Course, but he is confident that it will be a different story this time around at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake.
“No that won't be happening this time around,” he said. “My game is in much better shape and I'm really looking forward to performing on the biggest stage in world golf.
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“This really is a chance for me to show what I am made of and I hope that I can rise to the challenge.”
Marshall certainly a test of his mettle in his second round at Formby in order to qualify for the Open as he was one over after 11 holes, but battled back with birdies at 13, 14 and 17, where he lipped out for and eagle, to make sure of qualification.
Marshall, who teed-off at 8.46am yesterday morning, did, however, have a slightly anxious wait to confirm his qualification, having posted his score with the majority of his rivals still out on the course.
“It was a little nervy to start with,” he said, “but in the end I had to take a calculated risk and go as I had a plane to catch to get me up to Scotland.”
Meanwhile, Thetford's Lawrence Dodd finished tied in 12th place at Formby on one over par having shot rounds of 72 and 73.
Fakenham's Colin Williams finished 10 over par and tied in 62nd at one of the other qualifiers, being held at Wallasey, having shot rounds of 74 and 80.
