Superb Surry dreaming of Open success (From This Is Wiltshire)

Superb Surry dreaming of Open success

6:00am Friday 10th July 2009

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Trowbridge golf ace Steve Surry says he is determined to do himself justice after earning a spot at the biggest event of his young career.

The 27-year-old has qualified for Thursday’s British Open at Turnberry, Scotland, for the first time after a stunning round in qualifying which he broke the existing course record.

Surry travelled to the Western Gailes qualifying event in Ayrshire earlier this week and shot a first round 72, which left him on a precarious one over par.

The Cumberwell Park professional then went round in a remarkable five-under-par 66 to finish second in the standings and secure his Open ticket.

“It’s probably one of my best rounds,” he said.

“Mainly because of what was on the line. If you didn’t get in the the top four then it didn’t matter if you finished fifth or 40th because you wouldn’t make it.

“I hit nine birdies and broke the course record which was quite nice. I got another course record earlier in the season so I’m playing well.

“I’m pretty excited about going to Turnberry. I’ve played there in 1999 and shot a 73, but that wasn’t off the Championship tees.

“The Open is the biggest event in the sport though and it’s every golfer’s dream to play there. So I’m just looking forward to it. My aim is to make the cut and go into the weekend. I just want to be steady and continue to play as I have all season.”

Surry had previously competed on the Jamega Tour but made the step up to the PGA Europro tour at the start of this season thanks to support from the Cumberwell Park golf club, in Bradford-on-Avon, where he is a professional.

Since joining the circuit, the Trowbridge star has exceeded all expectations and is currently top of their order of merit after top ten finishes in all four events, including a win at the Michael Ward UK Open in May.

His displays have also earned him places at two events on the more difficult Challenge Tour this summer where he has finished seventh and 41st.

Surry says his next aim is to go one step further and make it onto the full European tour for the 2010 season.

“It’s pretty unrealistic I’ll get my card through the Challenge Tour,” he said.

“But I’ll be going to Tour School at the end of this year and will try to qualify that way, unless I win The Open of course.”

Fellow Cumberwell Park professional Craig Bell also competed at Western Gailes but failed to qualify after going round in ten-over-par.

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