Stewart, Pilkadaris qualify for Open
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2009 British Open International Final Qualifying - Asia | Round Two | 01 Apr 2009
Two more Australians are guaranteed starts at the Open Championship at Turnberry following the completion of International Final Qualifying – Asia in Singapore today.
Rookie professional, Tim Stewart, and veteran Asian Tour player, Terry Pilkadaris, earned two of the four places available, Stewart having to survive a nine way playoff for the fourth and final berth.
Stewart was considering leaving the course for the airport before he realised he was required for the playoff. Just five months after representing his country at the Eisenhower Trophy he has now assured himself of a start in his first major championship. Things are going well for the New South Welshman, gaining his Asian Tour card earlier this year and making three of four cuts in his debut season.
“It’s pretty heart-stopping stuff out there. I’ve already booked a taxi to the airport and was called back for the play-off,” said Stewart. “I’m simply delighted with the way things are going and this performance definitely ranks right up there at the top for me.”
Pilkadaris, who recorded his second best opening round yesterday struggled today but his five under par total was good enough for outright third in the 36 hole event at the Sentosa Golf Club.
“I played horrendous today. I put myself under lots of pressure by hitting into the trees with my drives and was always scrambling to recover,” said the three-time Asian Tour winner. “I thought I had missed my chance with the way I played today. I had to wait around for a couple of hours and finally when the news came, I’m really relieved,” he added.
The pair joined India’s Gaganeet Bhullar and China’s Liang Wen-Chong as the successful graduates.
In February New Zealander Josh Geary, and Australians Michael Wright and Tim Wood also earned the right to play at Turnberry via the Australasian Tour’s IFQ at Kingston Heath.
Andrew Dodt missed his chance at the playoff by one shot while Finnish golfer Miko Ilonen compounded to miss a place with a second round of 77 after leading the event following his opening round of 65.
