Yorkshire teenager eager to qualify for bite of Open Sandwich

Joe Dean is dreaming of lining up against Lee Westwood in the biggest tournament in the world.

The 17-year-old Renishaw Park amateur is one of 14 Yorkshire golfers in action today at local final qualifying for the Open Championship at Royal St George’s in Kent next month.

Dean won the Lee Westwood Junior tournament at the world No 2’s home club of Worksop two years ago and is just two strong rounds away from lining up against the former European No 1 in the third major of the year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It would be amazing,” said Dean, who won the regional qualifier at Lindrick last week to move to within 36 holes of a reunion with Westwood. “I would have a bit of banter with him, and hopefully try to beat him.

“But I know qualifying would take two really, really good scores, so I’ve just been getting in as much practice as I can to give it my best shot.”

More than 280 players are vying for just 12 spots in the Open.

Nine professionals from the county, plus five amateurs, play two rounds today at one of four sites in the south-east of England, hoping to book a return journey to Sandwich from July 14.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Side by side with the likes of Dean and fellow amateur Scott Campbell are players of the calibre of former US Open champion Michael Campbell.

Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal has, however, withdrawn from qualifying at Littlestone.

The 45-year-old, who has battled arthritic pains for over 15 years, has also pulled out of the French Open starting on Thursday, but is still in the field for next week’s Scottish Open where he will be required to finish in the top five to qualify for St George’s.

Open qualifying – Littlestone: Marcus Armitage (Howley Hall), Nick Ludwell (Selby), Simon Coumbe (a) (Pontefract and District).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prince’s: Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton), Daniel Wasteney (Bondhay), Stephen Pullan (Sand Moor), Alex Belt (Bridlington Links).

Royal Cinque Ports: Stefan Priest (a) (Hallowes), Darren Walton (a) (Wakefield), Daryl Ley (Branshaw).

Rye: Scott Campbell (a) (Hallowes), Joe Dean (a) (Renishaw Park), Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorkshire), Daniel Thomas (Bradford).

Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson finished one stroke ahead of Ryan Moore and John Rollins at the Travelers Championship to claim his maiden win on the US PGA Tour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 36-year-old shot 66 in his final round to reach 20 under. he had just one bogey in his 72 holes in Connecticut to take the title.

The Swede has now moved up to 61st in the world rankings.

Related topics: