Mar28 Openqualifiers

The Australian trio of Adam Groom, David Gleeson and Lee Won-Joon, together with Scotsman Ross Bain and Lam Chih-Bing of Singapore, have won their way into The Open Championship through 36 holes of International Final Qualifying-Asia over Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong course.

Lam emerged as only the second Singaporean to qualify for the Championship, his six-under-par 66 in the second round included two eagles and five birdies and left him one stroke behind top finisher Groom. Lam will follow in the footsteps of compatriot Mardan Mamat who was the first Singaporean to make it to the Open Championship back in 1997.

“This is simply great. I cant wait as it has always been my dream to play in a major. I’ve never been to Scotland and my last trip to Europe was in 2002 on holiday,” said Lam.

“My friends have told me so many things about their first ever experience at The Open and now it’s my turn. I heard that the atmosphere there is unbelievable. Danny Chia mentioned that he had goose bumps while walking the course with the crowd all around, it’s going to be amazing,” added Lam.

After adding a 69 to his opening 66, the 28-year-old Groom was happy with a score that led the qualifying event. “It was going on well until I struck a triple bogey on the ninth hole. But I knuckled down on the back nine and struck four birdies without a single bogey, so that was a good way to end the day. This is fantastic being able to make it for my first ever major,” he commented.

Thanks to solid iron play, Lee, who turned pro late last year, ended his day with a 70 and was forced into a play-off when compatriot Park Jun-Won scored 68 for a 137 total in a tie for fifth place. Lee took the final spot at the par-four first play off hole when he holed a three-foot birdie putt as Park parred.

“This is fantastic. I was fully focused on my last shot at the play-off and when it went in I was really happy. That was one of my most crucial shots as I’ve now sealed my place in Scotland,” said Lee. “This is going to be my first major. I’ve been to Scotland before when I played at the St Andrews Links Trophy. So I can roughly know what to expect as I did get some feedback from the players about Carnoustie. I’m eager to go,” he admitted.

Scotland”s Bain returned a second round 64 to seal his place, while Gleeson scored his second straight 68 and made it through after his ninth attempt at qualifying.

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