A coveted place at The Open Championship is on the line for five Oxfordshire golfers in local final qualifying action on Tuesday (July 3).

Competition will be fierce, with experienced professionals and talented amateurs battling for the last 12 places to line up alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at Royal Lytham & St Annes later this month.

Almost 300 players are involved in the 36-hole event, which is spread across four links courses in the north-west.

Adam Wootton will be attempting to book his place for the second year in a row, after reaching Royal St George’s 12 months ago.

The Oxford Golf Centre assistant professional is among the field at St Annes Old Links, while the remaining four locals are at Southport and Ainsdale.

Former Oxford City champion Clive Bowler is in the first group out at 6.30am after coming through regional qualifying.

Frilford Heath’s Tom Fleming also negotiated the same hurdle and will be focusing on keeping a level head.

He said: “It’s one of those situations when if you get overawed by it, then you are in trouble.

“You can’t think too far ahead on the first tee, the key is to play it like it’s any other day.

“I’ve got nothing to lose from my point of view. This is about getting into the top three or four and there will be ex-European Tour players in there, but why shouldn’t it be me?”

Eddie Pepperell (Frilford Heath) and Craig Hinton (The Oxfordshire) complete the Oxon quintet and both will be optimistic of challenging after winning competitions already this season.