Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy hope to play at Royal Birkdale
Darren Clarke's hopes of getting into the Open at Royal Birkdale look bleak after a four-over-par 74 in the opening round of Monday's 36-hole qualifier.
"That is my worst-ever score here and it would appear I will be going fishing in three weeks' time," said Clarke.
The Ryder Cup hero's only remaining chances of making it are to finish in the top five either in the European Open or the Scottish Open.
Rory McIlroy is still in with a shout after having a one-under first round.
Paul McGinley was struggling at three over midway through his first round, while earlier Jose Maria Olazabal managed a one-over-par 71.
England's Simon Wakefield and Scot Alastair Forsyth led the way with five-under-par 65s.