If the R&A had a ‘close but no cigar’ exemption category for the Open Championship then Euan Walker would probably be already planning his trip to Royal Portrush in a fortnight’s time.
Having been pipped to the Amateur Championship title on the final green at Portmarnock a week past Saturday, the Barassie man finished second again in the European Amateur Championship at the weekend.
Had he won either of those events, Walker would have been rewarded with a tee-time for the Open. Today at Fairmont St Andrews, the Scot will be hoping it’s third time lucky when he competes in the Open’s 36-hole final qualifier. “Second place would be good enough this time,” said Walker.
READ MORE: Brave Walker comes up short in Amateur final
In fact, third would be good enough too. The problem, of course, is that 90-odd players are battling it out for just three Portrush places on offer in an all-or-nothing shoot-out that would make the Gunfight at the OK Corral look like a minor disagreement in the HR department.
“It is difficult to be disappointed given how well I have played in those two events, but it would be brilliant to be playing in the Open,” said a philosophical Walker about his near misses.
“I played in regional qualifying four or five years ago and didn’t make it through. To be honest, my game wasn’t anywhere near good enough at the time to play in the Open anyway.
“I’m not exactly sure why I entered. I think it was because a lot of my friends were giving it a go so I decided to join them. But I have improved a lot since then, so I am in a better position to give it a go this time round.”
Amateur dramatics are often part of the Open and the efforts last year of his Scottish colleague Sam Locke, who survived the qualifying scramble and then won the silver medal at Carnoustie, has given Walker plenty of motivation.
He added: “I think that watching Sam come through last year made a lot of people think, ‘oh, you know what, I think I can actually qualify for the Open, perform well in it and have a chance of winning the Silver Medal’. I think that has spurred people on, myself included.”
READ MORE: Beveridge wins Scottish Women's Amateur title
Yesterday, Walker was named in the six-man Scotland team for the forthcoming European Amateur Team championships while his recent exploits have given him a great chance of representing GB&I in September’s Walker Cup.
“The team isn’t announced until the middle of August but I have put myself in a brilliant position,” he said.
Walker is one of a host of Scottish hopefuls competing today with qualifiers also taking place at Notts Hollinwell, Prince’s and St Annes Old Links
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