Fulford Golf Club assistant professional Jamie Ashworth is hoping to finish this weekend in seventh heaven.

Ashworth, 27, headed off for St Andrews today to begin preparations for his seventh attempt at qualifying for the Open.

The self-confessed links golf enthusiast will be part of a 120-strong field competing for just three places in next week's world-famous event.

Former US Ryder Cup star Brad Faxon will be among his rivals for a coveted spot from Lundun Links qualifying pool but Ashworth feels this year could represent his best chance yet of fulfilling a lifetime ambition.

He said: "It's quite a short course and a lot of irons will need to be played off the tee. It's also a tight course and I love links golf because keeping the ball in play suits my game.

"A lot might depend on the weather too. If it's calm the qualifiers will have to shoot two pretty good scores but, if it's windy, it will open the field and give everybody a chance.

"The nearest I have got in seven tries was last year when I reached the final qualifying round for the first time but missed out by five shots. I wasn't playing much then, however, and I did not put any pressure on myself. This year, because I have played a lot more and a lot better, my expectations are higher."

Ashworth, who has been a spectator at most Opens since the age of ten, also admitted that the fact this year's contest will be held at St Andrews makes the rewards for qualification that little bit greater.

"It's the biggest tournament in the world and St Andrews is the home of golf and a very special place," he said.

Ashworth, who has been at Fulford for four years, was intending to shoot a practice round - his first at Lundun Links - this afternoon and has taken Fulford member Tim Millward as his caddie.

York-based Millward has applied for a course at St Andrews to become a full-time caddie and will be advising Ashworth over the 36-hole qualifying pool tomorrow and Sunday.

It is an opportunity neither man could have thought possible when Ashworth was struggling on five-over par at the halfway point of his Alwoodley regional qualifier.

An amazing comeback, though, including a 35-foot putt on the 17th hole, saw the Fulford pro home.

He said: "I had a couple of double bogeys in the first nine when I just lost the plot through six, seven and eight but I birdied the 11th and bounced back. I went out in 41 and came in with 31.

"I felt a totally different player on the back nine. I had nothing to lose and just tried to get back to level because you always have a chance.

"I went for every putt and they dropped."

Updated: 10:31 Saturday, July 09, 2005