MELBOURNE, Australia -- Former U.S. Amateur champion Nick Flanagan of Australians shot a 6-under-par 66 at Kingston Heath on Tuesday to take the first-round lead in the two-day, 36-hole International Final Qualifying tournament for the British Open.
The top four players in the two-round tournament ending Wednesday will qualify for the Open, which will be played at Royal Liverpool in July.
The 21-year-old Flanagan, who won the 2003 U.S. Amateur, finished the first round three shots ahead of fellow Australians Brad Hughes, Andrew Tschudin, Ben Bunny and Michael Wright.
"I played exceptionally well today," Flanagan said. "I got away to a fast start, which was good, and then had a couple of lucky birdies on the back nine."
Flanagan turned professional after appearing in the Masters last April and finished 23rd at the British Open at St. Andrews. He qualified for the 2005 British Open by succeeding in this same qualifier last year.
"It worked for me last year and hopefully it will happen again this year," Flanagan said. "I hit the ball close to the flag all day, within 10 feet most of the time. I probably only holed one long putt and that was a 20-footer.
"I love The Open," he added. "It's probably my favorite, although the Masters was great, too."
A total of 53 players from Australia and New Zealand are competing for the precious four spots.
Among other prominent players in the field, Euan Walters posted a 71, while Kim Felton and Scott Laycock were in at 72. The group at 73 included Jarrod Moseley and Stephen Scahill, while the pack at 74 included Scott Gardner. Lucas Parsons, Brad Kennedy and James Nitties carded 75s, while Chris Campbell had a 76.
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