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Open qualification begins in South Africa

Little-known South African Brett Liddle will have the honour of hitting the opening tee shot when qualifying for the 135th British Open gets underway on Wednesday.

The first of five international final qualifiers will be staged at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in South Africa, with a maximum of four players from the 36-hole event earning places in the championship proper in July.

David Frost won last year's African qualifier and went on to finish in a tie for 15th place at St Andrews behind champion Tiger Woods.

South African Frost, 46, is not competing this year.

Australasia, Asia, Europe and America will host the other international final qualifiers.

The Australasian leg takes place at Kingston Heath, Melbourne on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Sentosa in Singapore is the venue for the Asian event on April 6 and 7.

The last two international qualifiers take place the same day, at Sunningdale, England and the Congressional Club in Maryland on June 26.

The British Open will be held at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake from July 20-23.

January 18, 2006