Golf: Scahill tops qualifying for the Open

Stephen Scahill's rollercoaster golf career took another upward swing yesterday when he topped the pre-qualifying for the New Zealand Open.

The 31-year-old professional from Tauranga shot a three-under 69 to share the best score of the day at Middlemore with Te Awamutu amateur Brad Shilton.

Scahill lost his European Tour card last season, but regained it at the end of the year with 19th placing in the ultra-competitive qualifying school.

Over Christmas he reached the heights again by becoming engaged to his girlfriend, Lana, on a mountaintop in Canada.

But the Canadian trip also resulted in a sore shoulder after a fall, causing him to call off a golfing commitment in South Africa and requiring him to pre-qualify for the Open, which begins at The Grange on Thursday.

Shilton's four-birdie round was a turnaround after what he described as some ordinary form recently.

Two other amateurs bettered par with 71s: Eddie Lee (Waitikiri) and 16-year-old Sam Hunt (Rotorua).

Alone on 70 was New Plymouth professional Grant Moorhead.

The last of 15 places went to Waikato professional Les Miller after a three-man playoff.

A similar number pre-qualified in Australia.