LUKE Joy missed out on a spot at the Open Championship after an unexpected dash to final qualifying.
The Remedy Oak player failed to progress automatically at regional qualifying on his home fairways last week after he was eliminated in a play-off.
But former Dorset ace Joy was late on handed a spot in final qualifying at Gailes Links in Scotland as an alternate.
He received the phone call while practising at Remedy Oak on Sunday and made the lengthy drive north of the border that night ahead of Tuesday’s shootout.
Joy, who had played the Irvine course once as an England schoolboy, carded a five-over 76 and a level-par 71.
That saw him finish in a tie for 32nd overall with just the top three advancing to next month’s Open at Royal Troon.
The qualifiers were Sweden’s Oskar Arvidsson on 10 under, Spain’s Scott Fernandez on six under and former Open runner-up Colin Montgomerie on five under.
Joy said: “Unfortunately, my putting is really letting me down.
“I really can’t seem to get any confidence with the putter and that definitely needs to be addressed.
“I have been trying a slightly different approach to putting recently and it’s just not clicking for me on the course.”
Joy was speaking to his personal website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here