Aussie Wade sets record to earn Open ticket

Australia’s John Wade had smashed the course record at the Dunbar Club to qualify for The Open later this month.

The 45-year old Melbourne golfer posted a seven under par 63 less than an hour after the new mark had been set at 64 by popular India golfer Shiv Kapur.

Dunbar Club – Scotland

Wade had signed for an opening score of an even par 70 and then came out after a short luncheon break to birdie five of his closing nine holes including a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th.

Wade used to compete on the European Tour but is now a club professional at the Commonwealth Golf Club and one of Melbourne’s famed Sandbelt courses.

“This is a dream come true,” he said.

“I love it in this part of the world, so thought I would come over and try to qualify. I played The Open once before at St Andrews in 2005, but missed the cut by miles.”

“However it was a great experience. It was Jack Nicklaus’s last Open and the atmosphere was incredible.”

At North Berwick, Australian Daniel Gaunt missed a playoff for qualification by just one stroke while Matthew Guyatt finished T29 on +4.

Matthew Zions missed out at Musselburgh, closing the day in equal 14th place and five strokes adrift of the cut-off. Scott Arnold failed to finish the day and pulled out after an opening round of 75.