Monty fails to qualify for Open

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Colin Montgomerie failed to secure a place in the Open Championship field in final qualifying at Woburn on Tuesday.

Jetting back to the UK after finishing runner-up at the US Senior Open last week, Montgomerie fell four strokes short on Tuesday.

The only chance the 52-year-old Scot now has of being at St Andrews later this month is by producing a strong performance at next week’s Scottish Open at Gullane.

“When there are only three spots and 72 players you have to putt well and I putted like an idiot,” Montgomerie said after his showing at Woburn.

Former two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen enjoyed better fortunes. The South African qualified after surviving a play-off against English pair Adam Gee and Jamie Moul.

Irish amateur Paul Dunne was particularly impressive. The 22-year-old shot rounds of 70 and 65 to win the qualifying event by three strokes with a nine-under-par total of 135.

“I guess I love this place,” Dunne said. “Last year was a bit more of a shock because I had no expectations. This time I knew I could shoot the scores and that put more pressure on me.

“I’m delighted. It’s not really sunk it yet, but going to St Andrews will be ultra-special – probably the biggest week of my life.”

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