FRUSTRATED Martyn Thompson was left to rue a poor finish to his first round that led to a loss of confidence as he failed to qualify for his third Open championship.

The Parkstone professional missed two short putts as he dropped three shots over the last four holes in the 36-hole final qualifier at Rye on Tuesday.

“I couldn’t have played better up to that point,” said Thompson, who carded rounds of 67 and 72 for a three-over-par total – six shots shy of a top-three qualifying place.

“I had only missed one green in regulation and my game had been flawless before my Achilles heel kicked in once again.

“I missed two putts within two feet and my confidence was gone. I only had half-an-hour before I went out again and didn’t have enough time to get my head together.”

Thompson’s second round was delayed by three-and-half hours as the threat of thunder and lightning loomed over the Kent course.

“Ironically I came back out and held a bogey putt from 21-feet, but the damage had been done,” added Thompson, who had qualified for the Opens at St Andrews and Carnoustie in 1995 and 1999 respectively.

Remedy Oak’s Ben Welch, meanwhile, also failed in his bid after two rounds of 76 at Royal Cinque Ports.

Amazingly, Welch parred only 13 holes in a topsy-turvy day that saw him card nine birdies, 11 bogeys, and three double bogeys.

“My card resembled a Tony Hart painting,” said Welch, who recently had surgery on damaged wrist.

“Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to prepare properly, but it was good to get there and have a chance. It is definitely something I can learn from.”