Qualifying for the Open Championship proved a bridge too far for Kent’s golfers following the conclusion of local qualifying for the game’s oldest Major.
Among a field of 72 of Royal Cinque Ports were several of the county’s top talents, all hoping to finish in the top three and book their place at St Andrews later this month.
Steven Tiley, playing at his home club, made a strong start to final qualifying when he carded 69 for his first round on the east coast. Tiley (pictured) followed that up with a 71 to finish two-under-par for the day but it wasn’t enough to see him through, with the top three players all scoring five-under.
Rounds of 73 and 71 saw former Kings Hill pro Benn Barham finish two-over-par, while North Foreland’s Max Orrin was three shots further back after going round in 71 and 76.
Chart Hills hopeful Tom Sherreard ended up six-over, one shot better off than Deangate Ridge’s Jack Colegate.
Matt Ford has so far enjoyed an impressive debut season on the European Tour, but the 37-year-old from Bearsted couldn’t translate that form into a winning formula at Cinque Ports. Ford shot 76 and 74 to finish a disappointing eight-over-par, the same score as Thomas Muchmore (Ashford) and Matt Haines (Rochester & Cobham Park).
Further down the leaderboard were Knole Park’s Andrew Butterfield (+11) and Mark Collins from Chart Hills (+12).
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