HOPES of having a local golfer involved at the Open in Muirfield having won through qualifying took a knock in the opening rounds over four courses in Scotland.

The quartet of Lancashire golfers looking to qualify found the going tough in yesterday's opening rounds and will struggle to break through in the second and decisive rounds played today.

Perhaps best placed is Nelson's John Cockroft, who is playing on the North Berwick course but he trails the clutch of leaders on 63 by seven shots.

Off the pace at Dunbar are Pleasington's Ged Furey and Burnley's Michael Hunt.

The leaders there are Mark James, Patrick Sjoland and Sam Walker on 65, and Furey trails on 74 with Hunt a further shot behind.

And the hopes of Clitheroe's Simon Eaton would appear to have been dashed at the first hurdle at Luffneff New.

While Scotland's Andrew Coltart was clear having shot an opening round 61, Eaton was way down the field having notched an 81.