A MENTAL toughness honed by his two former sporting loves have helped equip Ken Hudson with the qualities needed to succeed in the rather different world of golf.

For the Grange Parke member, who narrowly failed to qualify for last week's Open at Lytham, used to be a boxer, as well as playing amayeur RL for Pilkington Recs.

And although there might not appear to be any similarities between those two sports and golf, which he has played for the past 12 seasons, county player Ken is convinced his former pastimes have helped him keep his focus when the chips are down.

"The boxing and Rugby League helped make me mentally tough, which you need in golf because you get a lot of knocks in this sport", he said.

Ken became the first Grange Park player in recent memory to make it through to the Open final qualifiers, where he lined up alongside leading amateurs and tour professionals at Fairhaven.

And after making a disappointing start, which saw him three over par for the first nine holes, the 37-year-old electrical contractor from Eccleston Hill made a great recovery. He finished the first day level and followed up with a magnificent three-under, leaving him six-under for the final 27 holes.

However, his start had left him with too much to do and he was left disappointed after failing to make it through to Lytham. He said: "Getting through the pre-qualifier was the hardest part. Once I was through that I was in with some of the world's best and there was no pressure on me. So I was a little bit disappointed when I made that poor start".

And he is determined to bounce back and go one better next year. "I felt quite envious watching the first day of the Open on television. I think if I had played my best I could have been there.

"But I will be a better player next year and can't wait to have another go then. And I am certainly not down, I am really looking forward to my next tournament and the Grange Park Rose Bowl on August 5".

Before his eventual disappointment, Ken had done well to get through the pre-qualifier at Stockport Golf Course, where he returned 71 to earn himself a sudden death play-off which he won on the third hole with a long birdie putt.