Aberdeen golfer Euan MacDonald admits he is relishing the opportunity to try to clinch his place in The Open at Royal Portrush tomorrow.
Murcar Links member Euan, 27, is set to line up up alongside some of the world’s top players during final qualifying event at Dundonald Links.
Former World No1 Lee Westwood, and Scottish Open winners Rafa Cabrera Bello and Alex Noren, are among the star-studded field in action at the Ayrshire course.
Train driver Euan, one of six players who battled through an eight-man play-off at Craigielaw last week to seal his place in Tuesday’s vital qualifier, said: “I’m looking forward to enjoying the experience and all that comes with it.
“I’ll be playing in the group behind Lee Westwood, Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson and in front of another Ryder Cup star Alex Noren.
“It will be surreal as I grew up watching these guys on television.
“I’m hoping my game will hold up and I do myself proud regardless of the result.
‘I hit the best three iron of my life’
Macdonald defied high winds to dig deep and card a last-gasp birdie to keep his Open dream alive.
“I was chuffed with my fast start in gale-force conditions at Craigielaw with four birdies in my first six holes,” said Euan, “But I really had to grind the rest of my way round before reaching the 18th tee on three-over.
“Knowing that the cut was probably two-over, I knew I needed at least a birdie.
“Thankfully, I managed it and my two-over 73 got me into an eight-man play-off for six places.
“I was nervous considering what was on the line and the large crowd that was watching.
“However, my caddie Paul Gray, who has experience caddying on the professional tour, kept me calm.
“I had to make a great up and down on the first play-off hole for par to see me into the second play-off hole, a 560-yard par five.
“I hooked my drive left on to the 16th fairway where I had great lie, but still had 280 yards to the pin.
“I probably hit the best three-iron in my life to leave a 25ft putt for eagle.
“I missed the putt but was delighted to tap in for birdie, securing my place at Dundonald.”
5am shift put Macdonald back on tracks
Macdonald couldn’t celebrate his play-off success too long, however, as he was back on the railways at 5am the morning after the Craigielaw event.
He said: “After getting through the play-off, I was ecstatic.
“It gave me such a buzz, considering the strength of the field.
“I had work and a train to drive at 5am the next morning so I didn’t hang around too long.
“I didn’t get off the course until 9.30pm and had the long drive back to Aberdeen.”
Five Open spots are available at each of the four final qualifying venues – the others being Royal Cinque Ports, Burnham and Berrow, and West Lancashire.
The 153rd Open – the oldest Major in golf – will be played at Royal Portrush in County Antrim from July 17-20.
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