Round of 62 takes the lead at Montrose

David Shacklady, a round of 62 to take the early lead in Open qualifying at Montrose. © Andrew Redington-Getty Images

A nine-under-par round of 62 has propelled David Shacklady to the top of the leaderboard at Montrose as 384 players battle for 12 places in The Open Championship over four courses in Local Final Qualifying.

His previous low score was a 63, also nine-under-par, at a pro-am in Portugal. He is a winner of more than 200 events in the North Region PGA and holds the record at 10 courses.

He made his score with seven birdies and an eagle two at the 292-yard fifth where he drove the green.

Jon Bevan has taken the lead at Downfield where his 10-under total of 136, after a second round of 65, puts him one shot ahead of David Higgins. Five birdies in the opening nine holes took him to the turn in 31 and he finished the round withour dropping a shot.

Bevan commented: "I feel great but I'm not convinced it's enough to get in. I led the qualifiers last year, but then shot 81-80 at Hoylake. I went back to work last year between qualifying and The Open. I'm not sure I'll do the same this year if I get in."

At Monifieth three amateurs fill the leading places, David Coupland heading the field after rounds of 69-65 for an eight-under total of 134. Second spot is shared by Paul Waring and Llewellyn Matthews on 135. Coupland had eight birdies, but dropped shots at the third and 12th.

It is the first time that Coupland has tried to get into The Open and came through Regional Qualifying to gain his place at Monifieth. "I expected nothing when I came here," he said, "I just wanted to enjoy it. Today I putted much better than in the first round."

The top spot at Panmure is held jointly by Kevin Harper, Steven Alker of New Zealand and Steve Parry. Harper had a 68 today for a five-under 135 total. Alker added a second round 65 to yesterday's 70, matched by Parry's rounds of 68-67.

With many of yesterday's top scorers still to complete their second rounds, the lead at all four courses is likely to change hands many times before the end of play.