Justin Kehoe from Birr and David Higgins, one of only three Irish players to make that final two rounds of the European Open at The K Club last weekend, are in strong positions to claim places in next week's British Open at Carnoustie.

With only three players to qualify from each of the four qualifying venues, Kehoe is just two shots off the lead at Montrose where Matthew Zions set the pace with a six-under-par 66.

Higgins, meanwhile, is in a group of 11 on 71 at Downfield, the course from which Paul Lawrie emerged to win in 1999, where a seven-under 66 from Sheffield amateur Adam Hodkinson leads the way. Zane Scotland could be back in the British Open Championship next week - eight years after he became the youngest player ever to qualify for it.

The Surrey golfer was a mere 16 when he lined up with the stars of the game in 1999 and an opening four-under-par 66 at Panmure kept alive his hopes of a return to nearby Carnoustie.

Low score of the day was a seven-under-par 64 by Daniel Wood at Monifieth.

Meanwhile, Australian Richard Green received a call-up to the British Open yesterday after American Woody Austin's decision not to travel to Carnoustie next week.

Austin and Hunter Mahan earned places off a mini Order of Merit on the US Tour, but Austin said: "I don't know how to play that type of golf and I would probably go over there and shoot two high numbers and make a fool of myself." Green replaces him as the highest non-exempt player on the world rankings.