Thursday, January 14, 2010

Barnes earns first British Open spot after juicy qualifier

Deepak Jain Fri, Jan 15 10 12:20 PM

Australian Kurt Barnes earned a first major appearance at this year's British Open after topping Australasia's international final qualifying on Friday.

The big-hitting Barnes tore up the Kingston Heath course in Melbourne with an eight-under-par 64 to finish on 10 under, two shots clear of Ewan Porter, with 50-year-old Peter Senior third on five under.

A jubilant Barnes told reporters: "I reckon today is one of the best ball-striking displays ever. It's one of the best rounds of golf I have ever played."

The 2002 Australian amateur champion had an inauspicious start to the day, however, after soaking his shirt with orange juice before teeing off.

"I spilled an orange juice down the front of my shirt so I had to go and donate ninety dollars to the Kingston Heath golf shop for a new one," said Barnes.

"A few of the boys said I might have to do that more often!"

Porter and Senior will join Barnes in the field for the July 15-18 Open at St Andrews.

Senior clinched his 18th appearance at the British Open and his first since 2000 despite bogeying the final hole and leaving himself a nail-biting wait in the clubhouse.

It will be Senior's fifth visit to St Andrews. His best previous Open finish was fourth at Royal St George's in 1993.





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