Gowers braced for Monty challenge

Rob Gowers heads for Woburn on Tuesday when final qualifying for the Open takes place knowing he has a tiger on his tail.

However the Alresford pro, 24, is fully focussed on the challenge that lies ahead when only three places for St Andrews are up for grabs .

He is not concerned that in the group directly behind him is one of Britain’s golfing greats, the imposing figure of Colin Montgomerie.

In fact Gowers intends to embrace the occasion after finishing tied first in regional qualifying at Remedy Oak.

He will have a practice round at Woburn on Monday and said: “Being in close company with someone like Colin Montgomerie is a bit of an experience and I am looking forward to it.

“It is another game against other people’s games and it will be exceptionally hard to get in.

But I take confidence from regional qualifying.

“I know if I am playing good golf and hole putts I might not be far away. Even then it is not in my hands. Luck comes into it as well.

“It does not get any better than playing at St Andrews in the Open. But there is no point in thinking about that at the moment.”

On his targets for the season, Gowers added: “I am going to Tour School and I would like to be playing some more Challenge Tour events and definitely more Europro events.

“Even though I am playing well, I need a bit of a break. I feel as though I have been playing an awful lot recently.”

Meanwhile Lee on the Solent pro James Ablett is concerned about his form as he prepares for a dawn start at Royal Cinque Ports.

He said: "I am not scoring well at the moment and not been able to build any kind of momentum.

"What I do know is that you cannot afford to make many mistakes in final qualifying with so few places available.

"I am not bothered by an early start. A 5am alarm call is normal these days. My three cats find it funny to wake me up at that time for breakfast!"