Golf: Record Entry for Sandwich

A record number of 1,827 players have entered for the Open at Sandwich on 15 to 18 July, forcing an increase in the number of regional qualifying competitions from seven to 12. The five extra courses being used on 5 July are Beau Desert, Coxmoor, Hankley Common, Langley Park and South Herts. These are in addition to Blackwell, Lanark, North Hants, Orsett, Sherwood Forest, Sundridge Park and Wilmslow. There will be 1,461 players taking part in these 18-hole competitions and just 221 will go through to the 36-hole final qualifying at Littlestone, North Foreland, Prince's and Royal Cinque Ports on 11 to 12 July.