Scot David Drysdale is on the verge of ending an eight-year absence and contesting the Open Championship for just a second time in his career.
Drysdale, 42 heads into today’s SUN final round of the French Open in a six-way share 10th place and needing to remain inside the leading 10 to secure one of three spots into the July 20th commencing Open at Royal Birkdale.
However, the affable Drysdale is already vying with five others also seeking the same Royal Birkdale exemption including the overnight leading duo of American Peter Uihlein and Swede Alexander Bjork.
Uihlien added a 71 and Bjork a 70 and with each not only seeking French success but the chance to tee-up in golf’s oldest Major.
David Drysdale and one round away from qualifying hopefully for The Open.
The duo lead on eight-under but just one clear of a threesome at seven-under including the England pair of Andy Sullivan (68) and newly-engaged Tommy Fleetwood (71) along with Belguim’s Thomas Pieters (69).
Fleetwood, and now ranked a lofty 21 in the world, is seeking his second win this season after capturing the early season Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
He said “It is nice to have the chance to win again this year, isn’t it.
“It’s been a great year so far. But you have to keep it going, don’t you. It’s another day.
“If I play well, I play well, and if I don’t, I’ll either have to chip-and-putt really well or go on to next week and do something different.
“I’ve said it all the time this year, but when you’ve had a year of struggling, you really do appreciate being in contention on a Sunday.
“So, it doesn’t get any better than this, these events, great players, great course, Sunday, trying to win it. Doesn’t get any better than that”.
Drysdale, and still seeking a long overdue first Tour win, finds himself just four off the lead and among 15 just staring the likelihood of victory in the $US 7m event.
He was the only Scot to make the cut and capped his third round with three birdies in his first six holes.
However, he dropped a shot at eight made birdie at 1o and then bogeyed 12 and 17.
