Most of the region's professional and leading amateur golfers have been taking part in the pre-qualifying rounds for this year's Open.

Clacton Golf Club playing professional Andy Duffin made it through to the next qualifying round after a superb 67 at South Herts Golf Club on Monday.

A burst of five threes in the middle of his round gave Duffin the platform to qualify in first place for the next stage at Monifeith, Dundee.

Duffin said: "South Herts is more suited to my game than Romford, the other local qualifying course, and the day went very well. There was not a bogey on my card which was very pleasing.

"I'm looking forward to Scotland and a chance to play against all the big names of the game."

Also through from the same course is Lee Cocker from The Essex Golf and Country Club who shot 71.

Challenge Tour regular Scott Downton, of Orsett, led the qualifiers at Romford shooting a course record 64.

One shot behind was Benton Hall's Lee Lockwood and on 67 was Colne Valley owner and former European Tour regular Paul Curry.

There was an anxious wait for fellow Colne Valley professional Steve Cipa but his 69 proved to be enough to get him to the next stage.

Open Qualifying scores: Romford: 64 S Downton (Orsett), 65 L Lockwood (Benton Hall), 66 R Dee (Orsett), 67 P Curry (Colne Valley), L Stanford (Moatlands), B Taylor (Thorpe Hall), 68 N Tidder (Romford), J Marshall (Westerham), T Milford (The Ridge), C Tucker (Mannings Heath), 69 M King (Ballards Gore), R Gray (Thorndon Pk), S Cipa (Colne Valley), J Fryatt (The Essex).

South Herts: 67 A Duffin (Clacton), 71 L Cocker (The Essex).

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