Stuart can’t wait to tee off at Open Championship
WELSH golfer Stuart Manley will fulfil a career ambition since turning professional back in 2003 when he plays in this summer’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Lancashire.
The 38-year-old, from Aberdare, secured his golden ticket to playing in his first major when finishing joint second in the rain-hit Joburg Open last month when three places to the Claret Jug extravaganza were up for grabs.
And more importantly, the €109,065 accrued for his 14 under par three round aggregate around the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club was a large chunk of winnings towards keeping his European Tour card for next season.
But passionate Cardiff City supporter Manley, who was once destined for a career as a professional footballer after trials with Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Luton, was focused on playing a first major in his 14 years as a professional golfer on the north-west coast of England in July.
Manley said: “I’m really chuffed to be playing in my first major, I’m really excited.
“I’ve been trying for many years through pre-qualifying so to get there I’m pretty pleased.
“The Open is massive and I can’t wait to get my teeth stuck into that golf course. I’ve never experienced anything as big as the Open before, but I can’t wait for it.”
Manley began the final day two shots behind co-leaders Paul Waring and home favourite Darren Fichardt but soon closed the gap after following up his gain at the first with three straight birdies from the fifth to get to 13 under.
The Welshman rolled in his ten-foot birdie putt at the tenth before a double bogey at the next saw him drop back to 12 under.
He safely parred his next five holes before finishing his round with back-to-back birdies. But Fichardt held his nerve to win on 15 under with Waring producing a closing 69 to join him in a share of second place.
The tournament was reduced to 54 holes after thunder, lightning and subsequent course flooding forced play to be abandoned before the leaders had started their third rounds on Saturday afternoon.