Gary Boyd's first season as a professional golfer reached a new high when he qualified for the Open at Royal Birkdale at the sixth play-off hole.

But amateurs Adam Wootton (Oxford City) and Sean Elliott (Frilford Heath) were left frustrated by poor second rounds.

Boyd, from Banbury, was one of two players to come through the play-off in local final qualifying at Southport & Ainsdale after shooting a one-under-par total of 143.

Having shot a one-under-par 71 on the first day, Boyd raced to four under at the turn in round two.

But a shaky back nine, featuring three bogeys, was still good enough for him to reach the season's third major.

Wootton also shot 71 in round one, with Elliott carding 72, so both were well in contention.

Nine-over-par 81s put paid to their hopes on day two, Wootton coming tied 43rd and Elliott tied 49th The Oxfordshire's Daniel Wood finished tied 38th at West Lancashire after an 11-over-par total of 155.

  • Frilford Heath Ladies are through to round seven of the Mail on Sunday Classic after beating Calcot Park 3-2 on their home turf.

Their winners were Jane Binning (4 & 3), Andrea James (one hole) and Annie Gowing (2 & 1).

"It was an excellent result away from home on very tricky greens," said team manager Liz Sadler.

It was sweet revenge for Frilford, whose men's team lost out to Calcot Park in the same competition earlier this season.

  • Joe Richardson followed up his Founders Bowl victory by claiming Frilford Heath's junior championship.

Richardson, 15, finished two shots ahead of Andrew Tucker after rounds of 76 and 71 gave him a 147 total.

Nicole Duplessis won the handicap title with a great score of nett 136.

Conditions were tougher in the morning with wind and and rain, but Neil Pimm still carded a creditable nett 70.

The best afternoon scores were nett 64s from Charlie Stockford and Henry Pickford.

  • Paul Simpson, the experienced West Berks professional, won Southfield's Pro-Am after carding a three-under-par 67.
  • Stephen Brooks holed a birdie putt from off the green to secure a half in The Wychwood's junior match with Chipping Norton.

But Brooks's final-hole effort couldn't prevent his side losing 3-1.