CLITHEROE golfer Ian Singleton moved one step closer to Royal St George’s after reaching the final qualifying stage for The Open championship at the third time of asking.

The 30-year-old held his nerve in a regional qualifying play-off on home soil to book his place – pipping first reserve Jonathan Hurst (Pleasington) – after both carded 73.

Six golfers went on to play for just five places, with Singleton shooting level par from three holes.

Now he is looking forward to the prospect of rubbing shoulders with newly crowned US Open champion Rory McIlroy next month, and believes he is in with a chance of taking the next step to make his dream a reality.

“I’ve got through this stage so there’s no reason why I can’t get through the next,” he said. “Every golfer wants to play in The Open so it would be a dream come true.”

But with only the top three from final qualifying reaching The Open, competition will be fierce.

“There could be some big names playing in it, but I’m looking forward to it,” said Singleton, who has yet to find out which of the four Kent courses he will be playing.

“I’ve never played any of them, but I’m hoping for Royal Cinque Ports because I’ve heard that’s the best.”

For now, though, he is just happy to make up for the disappointment of last year.

“I missed out by quite a few,” he said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself with it being at Clitheroe and nerves got the better of me.

“That experience I think helped me this time around.”

There was also delight for Longridge amateur Mark Young, who tore round Harrogate’s Pannal GC in a 68 to become one of 12 qualifiers from the North Yorkshire course.

Like Singleton, Young will now head off to final qualifying at either Littlestone, Prince’s, Royal Cinque Ports or Rye on Sunday as he makes a bid to win through to Royal St George’s.