THE SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP - Lockie carries Ayrshire flag on in final qualifying.

Bill Lockie (North Gailes) along with Ross Drummond and Sam Torrance will provide the local interest in the Senior Open Championship at Royal Troon from 24 to 27 July, after Lockie came through the final qualifying event at Dundonald Links on Monday 21st July.

Whilst Drummond and Torrance were exempt from the traumas of the qualifying events, Lockie, who won the Seniors PGA Championship earlier in the year, was 7th qualifier of 15 at Dundonald, returning 75 to be one shot behind the leading qualifying score of 74.

The qualifying axe at Dundonald fell at 78, with one from four qualifying. Ayrshire amateurs Allan Thomson (82) from Ayr Belleisle, Bert Ferguson (83) from Royal Troon and Ronnie McLellan from Turnberry (86) all failed in their efforts to qualify.

At Glasgow Gailes, the qualifying score was 77 with 4 from 12 on that mark making it into the championship. Turnberry amateur John Broadfoot was the only local interest at Glasgow Gailes but failed in his efforts with a score of 86.

Three local amateurs were bidding for a qualifying place at Western Gailes where the cut fell at 76, two from three on that score making it through. David Miller from Kilmarnock Barassie just failed in his quest, with a 78, as did his clubmate Robbie Fulker (80) and Prestwick St. Nicholas member John Ashton (86).