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.

Final 12 qualify on day of low scoring

Scott Drummond survived a four-man play-off for his place in The Open. © Stuart Franklin-Getty Images

Twelve players from a field of 384 booked their places in The Open on a day of low scoring in Local Final Qualifying highlighted by a course record 62 at Montrose by David Shacklady.

A second round 68 to add to yesterday's leading 65, put Matthew Zions of Australia into a tie at the top of the leaderboard at Montrose on 133 with Shacklady, who is a winner of more than 200 events in the North Region PGA and holds the record at 10 courses. The third man to qualify was Justin Kehoe on 137.

"This feels pretty good," said Zions. "It was a long night and I realised I didn't have any plane tickets to get out of here so I thought it would be a good idea to stay around. Before Sunday afternoon I was not hitting it very well, but on the range it suddently felt like the old me. I only made a few mistakes and hit some really good shots today."

Safe in the knowledge that his 133 total would secure a place in the Championship he commented: "It's going to be unbelievable. Not everyone gets to play in The Open."

Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) set a hot target at of 10-under-par 136 after rounds of 71-65 at Downfield that was not matched throughout the day. David Higgins (Republic of Ireland) was alone in second place one shot behind and four players went into a sudden-death play-off for the final qualifying spot.

Scott Drummond, who won the PGA Championship in his rookie year on the European Tour in 2004, beat off the challenge of fellow tour winner Mark Mouland, Challenge Tour pro Ben Willman and amateur Adam Hodkinson with a par four at the first extra hole to take his place in the starting line-up on July 19.

At Panmure Steven Alker of New Zealand tied on 135, five under par, with home players Kevin Harper and Steve Parry. Alker has never played Carnoustie and spends most of his time on the Canadian and Nationwide Tours. He played in the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale but failed to make the cut. "That was a decent round," he said. "I just wanted to keep it going and I made no mistakes and putted nicely."

Steve Parry commented: "I played a great shot with the rescue club at the 14th, hitting the green from 262 yards for a birdie. I played well and putted well.

Three amateurs topped the table at Monifieth to take the qualifying places. David Coupland (Boston) led the way with rounds of 69-65 for an eight-under-par total of 134. Tied in second place were Paul Waring (Bromborough) and Llewellyn Matthews (Southerndown) on 135.

It is the first time that Coupland has tried to get into The Open and he 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."