DORSET’S Ben Welch is hoping to make it third time lucky when he attempts to qualify for the Open next week.

The 29-year-old Remedy Oak touring professional earned his place in the ‘local final qualifying’ round on Tuesday after securing one of the 16 places on offer at Ferndown on Monday.

Welch and Parkstone professional Martyn Thompson were the only two Dorset players to qualify from a field of 107 players.

“I’ve got this far twice but have never got that close to making it,” said Welch. “Everyone dreams of playing in an Open, and I am inspired by my friends who have qualified before.

“Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) has played in the past three Opens, while Ferndown professional Scott Godfrey and a pal from St Mellion, Adam Frayne, have also played in one.”

Welch, however, has been hampered with a wrist injury. “I recently had surgery on it and it revealed that I have a tear in the ligament, so my game has been a bit hit or miss recently,” he told the Echo.

“Before my preparation for the Open qualifiers, I had three weeks off from playing, so I am really pleased to have got this far,” he added.

Welch and Thompson, who carded a 69 at Ferndown on Monday, will play their 36-hole qualifiers on different courses.

Welch makes a welcome return to Royal Cinque Ports where he won the Tillman Trophy in 2000.

“It’s one of the top national amateur events, and I still consider it as my greatest achievement so far,” said Welch.

Thompson, meanwhile, will play at Rye. Only three players from each of the four courses progress to Royal St George’s (July 14-17).

To secure his place in the final qualifying phase, Welch carded a one-under-par 70 at Ferndown to force his way into a play-off where eight players were competing for six places.

Welch, playing in the first group of four, held a 12-foot putt for birdie on the opening hole to clinch the first place.

Dorset scores at Ferndown: Martyn Thompson (Parkstone) 69, Ben Welch (Remedy Oak) 70, Matthew Walker (Came Down) 71, Robert Mabb (Weymouth, A) 73, Jon Welch (Weymouth, A) 75, Scott Godfrey (Ferndown) 75, Daniel Bishop (Christchurch, A) 75, Keith Robinson (Yeovil, A) 78, James Wilson (Dudsbury) 79, Steve Thorne (Canford Magna) 81, Matt Hector (Ferndown, A) 83, Craig Gale (Remedy Oak) 83, Matthew Terndrup (Royal Oak) 83, Ryan Ford (Bridport & West Dorset) 86, James Baldwin (Parkstone) 86. Key: A=amateur.