Aldrich Potgieter bogeyed the last when chasing a birdie as he missed out on the final spot at The Open on Monday.
The South African was one of 12 players invited to the new last chance qualifier but fell agonisingly short during the 18 hole strokeplay event.
The top-ranked player in the dozen, Potgieter found himself with plenty to do after bogeys at 8 and 9.
Royal Birkdale was putting on a test as his playing partners found out – and perhaps cost his momentum. Angel Hidalgo and Wes Bryan finished +6 and +4 respectively.
The South African bounced back from bogeys at the turn with a birdie at 10 before another at the par 5 14th hole saw him move one back of the lead.
England’s Joe Dean was the man to catch after he eagled the 14th. He came home in pars as he kept himself in front by a single shot thanks to a sand save par at the last.
Potgieter failed to find the fairway off the 17th tee and settled for a par leaving him one back playing the last. Needing a birdie, he drove down the centre but then put his second into the greenside bunker to end his chances. Dean would survive to take his place alongside Henrik Stenson and Max Homa for the first two rounds.
Potgieter is currently the first reserve for the final men’s major of the year. So perhaps he might still sneak into the field.
Article Link: SA's Potgieter narrowly misses out on Open spot