CLITHEROE’S Mark Young is just three shots off the lead heading into today’s final round in the race to reach this year’s Open Championship.

However, after carding an opening one-over par 73 around West Lancashire, the Longridge member admitted his debut performance in the national event could have gone better.

Young, who was last year’s Mitsushiba Order of Merit Champion, said: “I was a little bit disappointed with my round to be honest. I thought I could have done a bit better on a couple of holes.

“I started off just thinking that I had nothing to lose. I’ve never got this far before, so it was a whole new experience for me.

“I finished a solid front nine, but then I lost my ball on the 10th and I took a double bogey.

“But I birdied the 11th, 13th and 14th and got to one-under, only to go and bogey the 16th.

“I hit the ball pretty solid, I just feel that I could’ve scored a bit better.”

Conditions at the par 72 started off calm, but deteriorated throughout the day.

However, Young remains confident that he can make a big impact today, with only four places up for grabs from West Lancs for the prestigious event at Royal Birkdale later this month.

He added: “It was a great experience and one that I could get used to.

“I’ll be out in the morning hitting a few balls around and I’ll just see how it goes.

“Again, I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Unfortunately, there wasn’t such positive news for the remainder of East Lancs’ golfing contingent.

At Hillside, Jonathan Hurst (Shaw Hill) is tied 34th after an opening five-over-par 77; Steven McGlynn (Blackburn), tied 41st with a six-over 78; and Mark Harling (Accrington) tied 82nd with a disappointing nine-over 81.

At Southport and Ainsdale, Ben Scott is tied 28th after shooting a two-over 74; and Mark Bradley is tied 78th after a nine-over 78.