Open Qualifying: None of the 12 Irish players competing in the final qualifying for next week's British Open at Royal Liverpool managed to survive.

The best performance came from Mallow's Mervyn Owens at Conwy, who shot a second round 74 yesterday for a total of 147, five shots off the mark.

Some big names to also miss out included Americans Kevin Stadler and Tim Petrovic, Gregory Havret of France and Germany's Sven Struver.

A former British Amateur champion, Warren Bladon will be back playing next week - thanks to his girlfriend forking out £110 to pay his entry fee.

"I couldn't afford it, so she put it on her credit card," said the 40-year-old from Leamington Spa, now a picture framer and part-time plumber, after surviving the 36-hole final qualifying competition at Conwy.

It was money well spent. Even if he finishes last at Hoylake Bladon, winner of the Amateur 10 years ago, will take away a cheque for £2,000.

"I have a partner and a daughter, but no money," he added following rounds of 70 and 72 to take one of only three qualifying places on offer at the course from a starting line-up of 96.

Now Bladon will line up alongside Tiger Woods just as he did in the 1996 and 1997 Opens and at the 1997 Masters when he shot 79-72 and Woods, of course, won his first major as a professional.

Their careers have taken rather different paths since.

On two under par, Bladon finished alongside 2000 Amateur champion Mikko Ilonen, of Finland, three behind Weymouth professional Jon Bevan.

On his only appearance in the Open Bevan shot 81-80 at Carnoustie in 1999.

Mind you, he was still 11 ahead of Spain's Sergio Garcia.