Hopefuls set for the Open

Shropshire's Open Championship hopefuls will be rubbing shoulders with golfing greats next week as they aim to book their spot at Turnberry.

Shrewsbury's Duncan Harris, Jonathan Gidney of Church Stretton, Bridgnorth's David James and former Lilleshall Hall man Peter Baker have all reached local final qualifying for the third Major of the year.

Three Scottish courses will host qualifying next Monday and Tuesday, with four spots up for grabs at each venue.

Amateur duo Gidney and Harris have both been drawn at Kilmarnock – where a European legend will be attempting to qualify.

Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal will be playing in the group behind Gidney along with fellow European Tour professionals Markus Brier of Austria and England's Barry Lane.

And the three-ball in front of Gidney will include Welshman Phillip Price, who famously notched a singles Ryder Cup victory over Phil Mickleson in Europe's triumph at the Belfry in 2002.

Gidney will be in an all-amateur group for the 36-hole qualifier, alongside Wentworth's Curtis Griffiths and Sunningdale's Farren Keenan.

Harris will be playing alongside club professionals Mark Kerr and Justin Evans.

Other stand-out names at Kilmarnock are Sweden's Per-Ulrik Johnasson and former star amateur Gary Wolstenholme.

James will try to fulfil his Open dreams at Glasgow-Gailes Links, where he will play alongside Sweden's Jonas Enander Hedin and Coventry Hearsall's Mark Davies.

Former Shropshire & Hereforshire ace Baker will also be in action at that venue, along with Jean Van de Velde, who famously threw away the Open at the final hole at Carnoustie in 1999.

By JAMES GARRISON