PLEASINGTON amateur Robert Middleton is East Lancashire’s youngest survivor in the bid to qualify for this year’s Open Championship after a stunning show at Clitheroe.

The 22-year-old graphic designer from Blackburn, shot an eagle on the first hole in regional qualifying en-route to a level par 71.

It was enough to be part of the top 10 spots that progressed from sunny Clitheroe to next week’s local final qualifying.

He will also be joined by the 2012 Lancashire amateur champion Mark Young, who is based in Hurst Green, and Chorley professional Mark Bradley, who both jointly led the leaderboard with Didsbury’s Daniel Wardrop after excellent two under par 69s.

At one point, a play-off situation looked to be developing for a handful of players on 73, including Nelson teenager Niall Ormerod and Blackburn amateur Steven McGlynn, but it failed to materialise.

Crowds flocked to Clitheroe in their hundreds as a field of almost 100 took to the north west venue in the hope of going one step further to reaching the 2012 Open, held this year at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

Making his first appearance at final qualifying, former QEGS student Middleton put down an early marker after being among the morning starters.

Despite his first hole eagle, the scratch golfer fell back to three over on the back nine, before birdies on the 14th, 16th and 18th clinched his ticket.

“It feels great to have qualified,” said Middleton. “It’s a good experience for me.

“I really didn’t expect to qualify. There were a lot of very good golfers taking part, many with a lot of experience.

“I just knew that if I could shoot my handicap, I wouldn’t be far away.

“The eagle at the first was a massive confidence boost for me. It was an up and down round from then on, but I managed to keep it together.”

Middleton added: “This was my first time at regional qualifying, so to get through feels good.”

Longridge member Young continued his superb run of form in 2012 by topping the leaderboard at Clitheroe.

Last month, the 30-year-old county golfer was crowned the Lancashire amateur champion for the second time after a marathon final at Preston.