Wright secures Open spot

West Linton’s Gareth Wright will make his Open Championship debut at Muirfield this month after coming through Local Final Qualifying.

Last year’s Glenmuir PGA Professional Champion was involved in a three-man play-off at North Berwick for two remaining spots on offer – which also featured Waterville’s David Higgins and Scot George Murray after the trio tied on five-under-par  137 after 36 holes.

But Higgins’ hopes of playing at the Open were dealt a blow after he incurred a two-shot penalty for having 15 clubs in his bag – having put an extra fairway wood in his bag prior to the shoot-out.

Wright, who has replaced Higgins in this year’s Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team, had sunk a birdie in the play-off and Murray had parred it prior to the discovery of Higgins’ extra club.

The qualifier was won by West Country amateur Jimmy Mullen.

Nine other players secured their place in the Open, which tees off on July 17, at three other LFQ venues.

Musselburgh: Steven Tilley, Lloyd Saltman, Tyrell Hatton

Dunbar: Grant Forrest (amateur), Shiv Kapur, John Wade

Gullane No 1: Ben Stow (amateur), Oscar Floren, Matthew Fitzpatrick (amateur)

A full list of results are available at www.theopen.com