A Shink-in a feelin’t
CALLUM’S SEARCHING FOR A SPOT AT BIRKDALE
ENGLAND’S Callum Shinkwin has come from nowhere to be on the brink of qualifying for The Open after a storming show at the Scottish Open.
The former English Amateur champion, 24, is in pole position alongside Australian Andrew Dodt to claim two of the three Open places up for grabs for non-exempt players who finish in the top 10 at the Dundonald Links.
Shinkwin has had more disqualifications than top-25 finishes on the European Tour this season.
But he impressed Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter – who shares a three-way lead with the pair – after his third round of 72, the highlight of which was a tap-in eagle on the 14th.
“It’s the first time I’ve played with Ian and we dragged each other along, which was good fun,” said Shinkwin, who was disqualified for signing for an incorrect score in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and for playing with a club he had damaged in anger during the Nordea Masters.
“I don’t think I’ve played in wind and rain like that before really.
“It was coming down at a really bad angle, especially the mid part of the round but I managed to grind it out and get through level par.”
Qualification for Dodt would require a major change of his immediate plans.
The Queenslander, 31, and his wife Ashleigh have a five-day holiday booked in New York – starting tomorrow morning.
But he said: “My wife only flew in from Sydney this morning but I’ll be quite happy to cancel the holiday for a spot in The Open, my first major.”
Dodt (below) and Poulter both carded third-round scores of 71 to join Shinkwin on nine under heading into today’s final 18 holes.
Three months after thinking he had lost his PGA Tour card, Poulter can almost taste his first victory since 2012 after surviving a “brutal” day of strong wind and heavy rain.
Halfway joint leader Padraig Harrington fell out of contention after struggling to a 79 in conditions which reminded Poulter of the final round of the 2008 Open at Royal Birkdale, where the pair finished first and second.
“It was brutal at times,” said Poulter, who came through final qualifying at Woburn 11 days ago to book his place in this week’s Open.
“Days like today don’t come around very often and I can think back to Birkdale on that Sunday, which was some of the toughest conditions I’ve ever played in. This would slide along right with it.”
“It’s just nice to be in a good position. It’s a big stage right now, the third of a run of great events on the European Tour. There’s a lot at stake.
“I feel energised and excited about the golf I’ve been playing. There’s life in the old dog yet and I’m relishing the opportunity to go out and get stuck in. “My whole family are up here, which is really nice. “It would be awesome to win again. I’ve got 18 good holes to play and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Americans Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar are both enjoying getting their games in shape ready for Birkdale next week.
The pair are both on five under par with 18 holes to go in Ayrshire.
That is four clear of Harrington, who endured a torrid day yesterday.
The two-time Open winner was three over par after nine holes and it got worse for the Irishman.
He bogeyed the 10th before a double bogey, par, bogey finish left him with a 79.