CHRISTOPHER Hayes, aged 14, from Preston, has joined the race for a place in the final of the 2001 Daily Telegraph/Center Parcs Junior Gold Championship.

He shot a 79 to win his qualifying round at Ashton and Lea Gold Club and must now wait until August to discover whether he has earned a place in the final. The 21 finalists competing over 36 holes for this year's title will tee it up on September 5 and 6 at The Cloister Resort & Sea Island Golf Club, Georgia, USA.

Each qualifying competition winner joins a national leaderboard with the best gross scores going through to the televised, 36 hole strokeplay final. Finalists will compete for the chance to join previous winners such as Andrew Coltart and Justin Rose on the role of honour for the title.