NEIL Rowlands kept alive his dream of competing in next month’s Open Golf Championship at Troon by coming through the regional qualifying round at Frilford Heath.

Rowlands, the pro at the Cotswold Club in Chipping Norton, fired a one-under-par 71 on the Red Course to finish third and claim one of the six places on offer for the final qualifying round next Tuesday.

However, Oxford City’s assistant professional Robert Harrhy just missed out with a one-over-par round of 73 to come eighth out of a field of 90.

A member at Frilford, Harrhy fired two birdies on the back nine, but it was not quite enough.

Next best of the Oxfordshire competitors was North Oxford’s Ben Millar, who shot a 74.

Oxford Golf Centre’s Adam Wootton recorded a 76, while the Frilford duo of Harry Collins and Elliot Bradley fired 78s.

Play was held up for two hours after heavy rain flooded the greens.

OXFORDSHIRE SCORES

71 N Rowlands (Cotswold Club). 73 R Harry (Frilford Heath). 74 B Millar (Bicester). 76 A Wootton (Oxford Golf Centre). 78 H Collins (Frilford Heath), E Bradley (Frilford Heath). 79 L White (Frilford Heath). 83 A Walton (Frilford Heath), D Scourfield (Bicester).