THE pressure was on today for Simon Dyson and Nick Ludwell as they made their bids to join the starting line-up for golf's centrepiece, the Open at St Andrews, later this week.

Malton and Norton's first year professional Dyson has the stronger chance but has ground to make up despite shooting a par 71 in the qualifying round at Scotscraig.

Dyson, who enjoyed plenty of success on the Asian Tour this year, made up for an early double bogey to give himself a shot at reaching St Andrews but the pace is hot with the leader Paul Eales shooting a course record 64.

Selby Golf Club's Nick Ludwell has even more work to do at Lundin after a round of 79, the leader of that qualifying group is Gordon Brand junior, who notched a 66.