Matthew misses out

Golf
 
MATTHEW NIXON just missed out on a place in next week’s Open Championship at Turnberry.

The Ashton-under-Lyne member, who has Oldham links, finished on three under par after shooting a second-round 69 in the qualifying competition at Barassie, Kilmarnock.

Nixon completed his two rounds on 139, which was three shots outside the top-four qualifiers but four strokes better off than former US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal.

Former Oldham member Marcus Armitage followed up his 73 at Barassie with a 77 to finish eight over par.

Grant Hamerton, the assistant professional at Brookdale, finished with a creditable level par 71 at Glasgow Gailes after posting a first-round 80 .

Brothers Elliot and Lloyd Saltman qualified from Glasgow Gailes and Barassie respectively, while others to make it through to Turnberry were Thomas Aiken, Peter Baker, David Higgins, Markus Brier, Daniel Gaunt, Peter Ellebye, Fredrik Andersson Hed, Steve Surry, Thomas Haylock and Daniel Wardrop.