Kehoe close to Carnoustie

By Brian Keogh

Open Qualifying - Birr's Justin Kehoe is on course to qualify for the Open after starting with a super 67 in 36-hole qualifying.

The former World Universities champion, 27, lies second on four under par at Montrose where the top three qualify for next week's major at Carnoustie.

Kehoe hit six birdies and two bogeys to trail Aussie Matthew Zions by two shots as players chase 12 spots at four Local Qualifying venues on Scotland's east coast.

He said: "I am pretty pleased. It was great to make a score on the front nine. It was a tough stretch on the back nine.

"The wind into our faces on 16 and 17 made it even harder but overall I am pretty pleased."

Waterville's David Higgins is tied for seventh at Downfield after a two-under par 71.

Montrose (Par 71)
2nd Justin Kehoe (67); T57 Michael Mulryan (75); T66 Colm Moriarty (76)

Downfield (Par 73)
T7 David Higgins (71); T18 Peter Williamson (72); T39 Danny Sugrue (74); T46 Padraig Dooley (75)

Monifieth (Par 71)
T20 Mark O'Sullivan (71), Leslie Walker (71); T58 Brian McElhinney (74)

Panmure (Par 70)
T23 Alan Murray (72 ), Barrie Trainor (72 ); T81 Michael McDermott (79)