GIVE Michael Hunt the choice between a European Challenge Tour card for next season or a place at this year's Open and there is no contest.

The 22-year-old amateur would go for the Open every time.

The current ELGA champion today embarks on his first attempt at qualifying for the world's most prestigious golf event.

But the Burnley player is refusing to think past the end of his round at Coxmoor, Nottingham, this afternoon.

"I was speaking to Ben Scott the other day and we were saying if we got offered the choice between a Challenge Tour card and playing two rounds at the Open, trying to make the cut, it would have to be the Open.

"It is everything, but also we are not good enough for the Challenge Tour yet. We are just good amateur players.

"But to play in the Open would be everything and it would be something to look back on in a few years."

Hunt, the Burnley club champion and holder of the course record at Glen View, only entered the event at the last minute after getting his handicap down to scratch at the Lancashire Amateur Championships.

"There were only a few days left before the deadline and I got them to fax me the form and I filled it in and sent it back so I am lucky to be playing in it at all this year," he said.

"I am not nervous at the moment although when I'm at the first tee I think I probably will be."

Hunt, who chose Nottingham after Ormskirk was dropped from regional qualifying, played a round on the course late last week.

"I liked it," he said. "I chose it because I had been told it was a lot like Woodhall Spa, nice and tight, which I like.

"Like anywhere, you have to keep it in play but you have got fairway bunkers that can catch you out and you could get funny bounces if you put it just off line.

"But I am looking forward to it now, I just want to get out there and do it."

There are just three days break between the last day of final qualifying -- which is contested over 36 holes -- and the start of the Open at Lytham and St Annes, but Hunt refuses to think that far ahead.

"I am only thinking about getting through this bit though at the moment, though.

"If you start thinking you are going to qualify and get to play with the big lads you are getting too far ahead of yourself.

"There is a long way to go."

Hunt works in the Pleasington shop with club pro Ged Furey, who reckons level par or one under will be enough to get through to final qualifying.

"Ged has just told me relax and play my golf. He says I have been playing well for most of the year so there's no reason why I can't go on and try to get through.

"I am confident of getting level par, but I think you'd have to play much better to get through the final qualifying."