Flangan leads Open qualifying with 66

BY iseekgolf.com | Australasian PGA Tour | 2006 British Open International Final Qualifying | Round One | 31 Jan 2006

21-year-old Newcastle professional, Nick Flanagan, shot a flawless six under 66 to lead The Open final pre-qualifying at Kingston Heath.

The 2003 US amateur champion was three shots clear of Bradley Hughes, Andrew Tschudin, Ben Bunny and Michael Wright.

“I played exceptionally well today. I got away to a fast start which was good and then had a couple of lucky birdies on the back nine,” said Flanagan, who qualified for last year’s Open Championship at St Andrews by finishing in the top four at Kingston Heath.

“It worked for me last year and hopefully it will happen again this year,” Flanagan said. “I hit the ball close to the flag all day – within 10 feet most of the time. I probably only holed one long putt and that was a 20-footer.”

Flanagan made the most of his first Open as a professional last year by finishing 23rd with rounds of 73, 71, 69 and 71. “I love The Open,” he said. “It’s probably my favourite – although The Masters was great, too.”

In his first Open, as an amateur at Royal Troon in 2004, he missed the cut. “I probably didn’t treat the majors seriously enough especially as an amateur. But now I realise you can set up your year by getting into them and playing well when the prizemoney is the biggest.”

The top four players at Kingston Heath go straight into The Open at Royal Liverpool in July. It is the first time the event has been played at Hoylake for four years. “It’s a great opportunity with only 53 players here,” said Flanagan.

Flanagan believes the burden that went with winning the US amateur title was bigger than he expected when he turned professional. He has struggled to make a big impact since turning pro in 2004 but this year will focus on the Nationwide secondary tour in America.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love playing in Europe where all the places are so different each week. But the US is the goal. If I do well there then hopefully I’ll be able to get starts in Europe.”

Flanagan said the aim was to make the main US Tour within a couple of years. “I just want to gradually work my way up to the next level,” he said.

“As an amateur I probably enjoyed myself too much whenever I went anywhere. But it’s time to get serious when you start playing for a living.”

IFQ continues tomorrow morning with the first group teeing off at 8:30am.

Source – PGA Tour