PGA trio secure Open Championship spots

A trio of PGA Professionals will all make their major debuts after securing their place in the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool later this month.

Former PGA Europro Tour No 1 Paul McKechnie, PGA assistant Chris Rodgers and PGA member and Challenge Tour regular Rhys Enoch all had dramatic conclusions in claiming their place at Final Qualifying.

McKechnie, who is attached to Braids Hill, was involved in a play-off at Gailes Links.

He booked his place as he birdied the first extra hole to edge out Rhys Davies and join fellow Scots Marc Warren and James McLeary.

“Sometimes when you are practising you find yourself saying ‘this putt to get into The Open’,” he told The Scotsman. “Well, it was and I’m proud of myself that I was able to take that chance. I knew I had to get my finger out quickly after being 40 to the bend in the morning.”

First year assistant Rodgers, based at The Drift, had an agonising wait at Sunningdale New before realising his dream of playing in his first Open.

Despite bogeying the final hole, Rodgers shot 67 and a 72 for a one-over-par 139 to secure the third and final spot.

“It’s a dream come true. I can really look forward to Hoylake and see what happens,” said the 38-year-old.

The last spot at Woburn was also decided in dramatic fashion after English Amateur Tomasz Anderson, Australia’s Jack Wilson and Cornish-based Welshman Enoch all tied for third on six-under-par 138.

The trio went down the first extra-hole where 26-year-old Enoch overshot the green with his approach from behind a tree but then holed a 25-foot downhill pitch for a winning birdie three.

“It’s strange I pitched poorly all day but as soon as I got to my ball I had a feeling something strange was going to happen,” he said.

“All golfers want to play in The Open but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d get into the Championship that way. It’s all a bit surreal.”