YouTuber Peter Finch misses out on his quest for the Open as Lindrick bares its teeth

So it was on a Monday as an army of competing professionals, teaching pros, budding amateurs and well-supported YouTubers set out in T-shirts and shorts, surprised by the buffeting they received on the inland links on the road to the Open at Royal Birkdale next month.

As is customary on the penultimate Monday in June, South Yorkshire’s Lindrick took its place as one of 16 courses across the UK used for regional qualifying, York’s Fulford among them.

Roughly eight spots at each course were up for grabs to reach Local Final Qualifying next Tuesday, when generally there are just four spots available from four courses into the game’s oldest major.

Ryder Cup veterans such as Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter are usually at the stage alongside DP World Tour players not yet qualified, but at this first stage of qualifying, the fields are dense with dreamers.

Like Sam McDonald, for instance, a 21-year-old teaching pro from Cleckheaton Golf Club, who after shooting a 79, was headed back up the M1 to give a lesson later in the day.

“I’m proud of what I did,” said the debutant. “I probably holed over 100 foot of putts today, but because of the weather it was hard on the closing stretch and I got a bit of a tired swing.”

At the turn he was just one over. Did he allow himself to dream? “I didn’t,” he laughed. “You have to keep yourself in check, keep your processes. I love teaching, but you get into golf for opportunities like this, that’s why we love it.”

Another debutant was Hillsborough amateur Greg Denton. The 29-year-old went out in the morning and shot 75, an up-and-down par in front of the clubhouse terrace on the 18th one of the highlights for someone who used to be a member at Lindrick before falling out of love with golf.

“For me it’s just a hobby, same with my brother who’s going out after me, there’s no expectation on us,” said Denton.

“I came here thinking I could qualify, I just had one of those days on the greens.”

Those two debutants were not alone in shooting in the mid-to-high 70s as very few players broke par.

George Mason of Wath was first out at 6.45am when it was a little cooler and not as blustery, shooting a three-under 67 that stood inside the top eight all day and was bettered only by the 66 of Sam Potter (Keddleston Park).

Josh McAspurn, an amateur from Crosland Heath, shot 68 to advance to final qualifying, where he will be joined by professionals Sam Rook (68) and Keir Stockdale (69), who put local knowledge to good use around their home course.

But Challenge Tour player Bailey Gill, a serial qualifier from this stage having broken the course record with a 64 in 2022, could only manage 70 this time and missed out in a six-man play-off to decide the last qualifier. Nick Raybould of Hull was the man to grab the final spot.

Normally, this free-to-attend event attracts a couple hundred spectators. This year, golfing YouTuber Peter Finch, had double that plus three camera crews following him.

He had chosen Lindrick as the venue for the continuation of his quest to qualify for the Open but despite being one under with five to play, signed for a 72 and misses out.

His quest continues next year.

Scoring was a little easier at Fulford where Moortown amateur Stuart Cage topped the standings with a 67 ahead of six Yorkshiremen on 68; Richard Law (Normanton), Will Swarbrick (amateur, Moortown), Lucas Martin (a, Rotherham), Will Whiteoak (Bingley St Ives), Marcus Brigham (Malton and Norton) and Ben Hutchinson (Howley Hall) who all advance.

Final qualifying is next Tuesday at either West Lancs, Royal Cinque Ports, Dundonald Links or Burnham & Berrow.