LYME Regis golfer Mike Searle is among four Dorset competitors plotting to qualify for The Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl later this month.

The Senior Open is separate to The Open, one of golf’s four majors which this morning began at Hoylake.

Royal Porthcawl plays host to the major on Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, July 30.

Searle, who recently turned 50 to allow him the chance of qualification, joins Sherborne’s Antony Lawrence, Weymouth’s Michael Watson and Blandford’s Gary Weldon in the field.

Searle must gain qualification at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club on Monday, with Lawrence and Weldon heading to Machynys Peninsula and Watson visiting Southerndown.

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Should Searle succeed, he will feature on a card littered with golfing legends such as Darren Clarke, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie.

Searle told the Bridport & Lyme Regis News: “My thoughts on trying to qualify for the Seniors Open are excitement with it being under a week away now. 

“I turned back amateur a few years ago with the intention of playing more golf, but Covid came along so that couldn’t happen for a while.

“When thinking ahead I’ve always considered the Seniors Tour.

"Re-joining Lyme Regis after over a 25-year absence has reignited my love for golf, and turning 50 has given me an opportunity to try and play in a major championship.”

Clarke will be returning to defend the title he won at Gleneagles a year ago, where he became just the fourth player to win both The Open and The Senior Open, 11 years after his triumph in The Open at Royal St George’s.

He said: “The Senior Open provides a fantastic opportunity for amateur golfers to potentially play alongside some of the world’s best senior professional players.

“I’m looking forward to seeing who will be joining me at Royal Porthcawl. The Senior Open is a very special tournament to me and I’d like to wish all of the players the very best of luck with qualifying.” 

Supporters of the Dorset quartet can pick up adult ticket from just £25 for tournament days. Season tickets, giving holders access to all four tournament days plus the Wednesday practice day, are available for only £95.

Visit https://www.legendstour.com/ticket/the-senior-open-presented-by-rolex-2023-tickets for more information.