SIMON EATON is thinking of adopting the pre-match ritual of the former USPGA winner Steve Elkington.

Elkington joined Clitheroe-attached Eaton in the bar the night before the first round of final qualifying on Saturday night.

The Australian chatted openly while enjoying a couple of relaxing drinks.

But while Eaton went on to shoot a 12-over-par 81 the next day at Luffness New Elkington hit a four-under 67 at Dunbar.

"I think I might have to start having a couple of pints the night before I play in future!" said 26-year-old Eaton, who is from Burnley.

"I had a nightmare first day though I got off to great start actually.

"I bogeyed the first hole and birdied the second. I was one under after eight and level after nine.

"Then I went down the back nine in 12 over. I lost three balls because if you go a yard off the fairway you're in deep trouble.

"The last three or four times I've been to final qualifying there have been spotters at the side but this time nobody was about so I lost a few.

"The second day was much better. I hit 71 and the best was 68 so I was reasonably happy even though I didn't do brilliantly. Two over was a bit better.

"It was good experience though, it's just a shame we don't get to play in things like that all the time - I was back in the shop yesterday!"

Eaton said meeting Elkington was a learning experience.

"I had a drink with Steve Elkington and I told him I'd been up to Muirfield and that it was unbelievable, really tight.

"He said 'There's room for a golf ball isn't there?' and I suppose that's the way you have to think.

"He's one of the best, he was a really nice guy. He told us a few stories. It was a good experience."

SIMON EATON would like to thank Paul Shufflebottom of Jobsearch and Richard Quinn of Prismo Tarmac for their support.