Edwards makes final qualifying

Shropshire golfer Matthew Edwards today stormed through the first stage of Open qualifying – in his first ever appearance.The Hill Valley professional carded a stunning three-under-par 69 on Enville’s testing Highgate course.

The 21-year-old, who was born in Whitchurch, reached the turn in three-under-par and added a further birdie at the par-five 10th.

A double bogey five at the short 14th threatened to ruin the good work, but Edwards regained his composure to birdie the last.

And, even with the majority of the 100-plus field still on the course, Edwards knew he had done enough to earn one of a minimum of 15 places on offer at Enville.

“The aim was to come and try and shoot level par and if that was enough, great,” said a player who rarely featured in Shropshire & Herefordshire events as an amateur.

North Shropshire golfer Michael Welch saw his chances of qualifying dashed – and admitted he was considering quitting playing competitively.

The Hawkstone Park professional was in the first group out at Enville at 7am this morning and struggled to an eight-over-par 80.

“I’m at a bit of a crossroads because I want to carry on playing but it’s horrible, when you go on and play like that,” said Welch.

The other early Shropshire finisher was Shifnal amateur Alex Morton, but his hopes also ended after a four-over-par 77.

But there was brighter news coming from Hill Valley professional Michael Edwards on the Highgate course at Enville.

He reached the turn in a three-under-par 33, the best of all of the early starters.

More than 20 club professionals and amateurs from across Shropshire were in action at Enville and Coventry where around 15 qualifying spots were on offer at each venue from fields more than 120.

The successful players will then line up in final qualifying next week where a dozen spots will be available for the final field at Birkdale.

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