Page stays in the hunt as Open hopefuls face final cut

England's Paul Page, who once beat a 17-year-old Tiger Woods at the 1993 US Amateur Championship, yesterday kept himself in with a chance to take on the world No 1again in the Open at Hoylake.

Page scored 65 in the qualifying tournament at Rochester and Cobham in Kent. He was among nearly 1,800 players at 16 courses competing for 302 places in final qualifying next Monday and Tuesday.

Graeme Clark, a EuroPro Tour member, shot a seven-under-par 65 to head the field at Pannal, where he won the Yorkshire amateur championship prior to turning professional in 2004. Amateur John Carroll equalled the course record at Pleasington with a six-under-par 65, including an eagle and five birdies. Darren Cainshared top spot at Prestbury after a four-under 67. His score was matched by Scott Jackson.

The round of the day was a 64 at Orsett in Essex by the Swede Jonas Blixt. It was four shots better than Paul Curry, who in his time on the European Tour fired a record-equalling 60 at Gleneagles during the 1992 Scottish Open.

Just 12 places in the Open proper are available from the 36-hole final qualifying tournaments at Formby, Wallasey, West Lancs and Conwy in Wales.