HAMPSHIRE’S Scott Gregory came up just a shot short of forcing his way into a play-off to earn a spot at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next week (writes Andrew Griffin).

Last year’s Amateur champion shot two rounds of 71 at Royal Cinque Ports on Tuesday last week to finish on level par.

Four players were tied on one under, including fellow Walker Cup hopeful David Boote (Walton Heath) who lost out in the play-off to Austin Connelly. The Canadian joined Essex’s European Tour player Matthew Southgate and former Brabazon Trophy winner Robert Dinwiddie in claiming one of the three places up for grabs.

Gregory (Corhampton), who finished tied for 32nd in the European Amateur Championship at Walton Heath the weekend before, carded four birdies and four bogeys in the morning round. He started the afternoon round with a birdie at the 10th, but ultimately paid the price for his inconsistency over the 18 holes.