Locke earns place in Royal Portrush field

Stonehaven’s Sam Locke has earned a return to the Open a year after winning the Silver Medal at Carnoustie.

The 20-year-old was one of three players to earn spots at this month’s major at Royal Portrush by topping the leaderboard at final qualifying at Fairmont St Andrews yesterday.

American amateur Brandon Wu won the qualifier on nine under after rounds of 64 and 67 with Drumoig’s Connor Syme finishing second, three shots behind after two rounds of 67.

Locke followed up an opening round of 69 with a 67 to earn the third and final spot.

The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre stablemate made it through final qualifying at The Renaissance last year before going on to enjoy a memorable week at Carnoustie where he was the only Scot to make the cut and went on to claim the Silver Medal for finishing low amateur.

He said: “It’s quite a feeling and quite emotional to go out and do that again.

“I have had a few nice rounds and not really put everything together so far this season so it is really nice to do it when it matters.”

Locke is hoping to get the chance to play at Portrush with mentor Paul Lawrie, who was unable to play at Carnoustie last year due to injury, saying: “It’s great that he is playing after missing last year and it will be great to tee it up in the Open with him.”

Syme was also thrilled at the prospect of returning to the Open, having qualified for Royal Birkdale two years ago.

He said: “The experience I had from Birkdale has been massive. I still do my yardage books the way I did there. It was a great week and it has helped me so much as a professional.”

Syme will know the challenge that awaits in Northern Ireland having reached the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship at the venue in 2014 before being knocked out by compatriot and eventual winner Bradley Neil.

He said: “That was my first year as a senior golfer and Portrush was really where I first did well in a top event. I can’t wait to go back. That was such a memorable week and it’s one of my favourite courses.”

Syme and Locke’s success takes the number of Scots competing at the Open to five with Lawrie, Russell Knox and Robert MacIntyre.