England's Simon Dyson fired a six under par 65 to put himself in a strong position to qualify for the 133rd Open Championship at Royal Troon. Dyson carded seven birdies and just one bogey on Saturday at Glasgow Gailes, one of four courses being used for local final qualifying.
Only 15 places in total are available, with Dyson just one of 384 hopefuls competing over 36 holes for a chance to tee up alongside the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson in the third Major Championship of the season. Dyson was three shots clear of his nearest challenger, Nottingham's Andrew Willey.
"I'm really pleased even though I missed good birdie chances at the first, 16th and 18th," said Dyson, a member of the victorious Walker Cup team in 1999. "I've played in the Open twice before but missed the cut both times."
Another European Tour player was setting the pace at Irvine; former Volvo PGA champion, Andrew Oldcorn of Scotland, carding a 66 to join Jonathan Cheetham at the top of the leaderboard.
"A 66 is good but I'll need another like it, minimum, tomorrow to get in," said Oldcorn.
Former Volvo Order of Merit winner, Ronan Rafferty of Ireland, returned a one under par 70 but that was only good enough for a share of 16th. One of those above Rafferty was Woking's Mike Bolsover, who carded a 68.
The 28-year-old had just returned to the game after three years out, during which time he tried to fund his golf with a spot of manual labouring.
Enfield's Sean Whiffin, Kent amateur Steven Tiley, Lloyd Campbell, Martin Griffin and Marc Warren led the way at Turnberry with rounds of five under par 67.
Tiley led qualifying at his home course of Royal Cinque Ports last year after a first round 70 but missed out on a place at Sandwich after crashing to a second round 80, while Whiffin recorded rounds of 66 and 76 when trying to qualify for St Andrews in 1995.
Costantino Rocca, runner-up to John Daly at St Andrews in 1995, carded a one over par 72 at Glasgow Gailes
