GED Furey's dream of appearing at this year's Open ended in heartache last night after he lost a play-off on a second extra hole at Montrose.

The Pleasington professional looked set for a place at the hellishly difficult Carnoustie after a brilliant four-under-par 67 in the second round of final qualifying yesterday put him firmly in contention for one of the 12 spots up for grabs.

But a host of sub-70 scores kept flooding in as the day wore on and the former European Tour player was forced to go into a play-off with four others for the first alternative place shortly after 7pm last night.

Furey and three of the four others all parred the first extra hole.

But Scott Watson then chipped in at the next, as the rest three-putted, to snatch a place at Carnoustie on Thursday in dramatic style.

"To miss out like that after being so close has left me feeling really down," said Fuey.

"I had to wait around for most of the day to see if I'd qualified which made things worse because I knew I was going to be borderline.

"But even when it went to a play-off I still felt confident because I've been playing well over the last few days."

Furey last appeared in The Open at Royal Lytham in 1988 but went into yesterday's second round in confident mood after a one-under-par 70 on the opening day.

In perfect conditions for golf, he was two under by the turn and two more birdies on the back nine gave him a second round score of 67 for a 36-hole total of 137. But Australian Grant Dodd, South African Donald Gammon, Sweden's Max Anglert and Scott Watson, from England, all matched him before Watson went through in the play-off.

"I just keep thinking back to those two three-putts I had on the first day because they've ended up costing me dearly," said Furey.

Simon Townend's hopes of qualifying also went up in flames in the scorching heat at Downfield.

After putting himself in contention with a two-under-par round of 71 on the opening day, Townend, who is attached to Wilpshire, shot a 79 yesterday to finish eight shots off the qualifying pace.

And Simon Eaton's Open dream is also over for another year.

Burnley's head assistant shot two rounds of 74 at Montrose to miss out on a place by 11 strokes.

Elsewhere, Zane Scotland knows his life will undergo a remarkable change now he has qualified for the Open at the age of 16.

He made the cut from Downfield with a six-under-par total of 140 in front of an enthusiastic gallery at the Dundee course. But the crowds there will be nothing compared to the thousands who will flock to Carnoustie on Thursday.

Scotland, 17 this Saturday, was expecting to defend his South East Boys title at Sunningdale, starting today.

Instead he will be thrust into the full glare of the media spotlight on Scotland's east coast.

Dad Bernie, who is also a member at his son's course, Woodcote Park in Surrey, will again be at his side to try and divert any leading questions.

Zane, a Manchester United supporter, is polite and unassuming, and committed to playing full-time on the amateur circuit this season.

He admits to being an admirer of Freddie Couples, Vijay Singh and Payne Stewart.

"They are three different characters but all have great qualities," said Zane. "Freddie is so laid-back, Vijay works so hard and Payne has a marvellous attitude to the game.

"I think if I could combine all three of these then I wouldn't be doing too bad."

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