Dodt happily swaps New York for Open at Birkdale

IRVINE (United Kingdom): Andrew Dodt’s wife is going to have to purchase woollens and water-proof attire after her 31year old husband qualified for this week’s British Open.

Dodt, and despite a disappointing Scottish Open final round 73 for a share of fourth place on eight-under par, secured the third and last Royal Birkdale place on offer at Dundonald Links on Sunday.

The strapping Queenslander denied Londoner Anthony Wall, married to an Australian-born former air stewardess, by virtue of a higher world ranking.

Dodt went into the event ranked No. 193 and Wall currently 245th in the world.

Rachel Dodt arrived from Sydney and into a rain and windswept Glasgow Airport on Saturday morning but packed for a five-day holiday in summery New York, and a last holiday trip overseas Dodt revealed ahead of the couple intending to start a family.

She was among the first to greet Dodt when he left the Dundonald scorer’s hut.

“Rachel and I were meant to be off to New York tomorrow morning, but pretty happy to be going to Birkdale and my first Major,” he said.

“So, I am over the moon. Over the moon. It’s been a big goal of mine sort of the back end of last year and this year to play my first major, and yeah, next week, bring it on.”

The result is Dodt’s sixth top0o in his 26 Tour events this year and, in some way, makes amends for last May’s disappointment in leading going into the final round of the BMW PGA Championship but only to finish in a share of sixth on the famed “Burma Road” course.

And encouraging Dodt over the last few holes on the final day at Dundonald was 1995 Scottish Open winner, Wayne Riley, who was working as a course commentator for SKY Sports.

“I found myself particularly on the back nine, just a little bit mentally fatigued,” said Dodt.

“I felt like I used a lot of energy early on in the round and really had to take things a bit slower and take one step at a time a bit more, because I knew The Open spot was right in line and had to sort of dig as deep as I could down the stretch.

“I kind of knew I had to hole that. Up the fairway, said birdie would be nice but par should be good.

“So, it’s great news that I’ve finally done it, play my first major”. - AFP