480 Open hopefuls tee off this weekend

England's Luke Donald, the best college player in America this year and now that Sergio Garcia has switched ranks possibly the top amateur golfer in the world, is among 480 players trying to qualify for the Open this weekend.

And the 21-year-old from High Wycombe has only to think back 12 months to realise that, for all he has done in his career so far, the Open is a chance to change his life.

Justin Rose was just one of those trying for around 45 places at Birkdale this time last year. A week later the 17-year-old was a household name, having finished a staggering joint fourth.

It was such an extraordinary performance that nobody is expecting any amateur to have the same impact at Carnoustie next week.

Donald, though, has already made his presence felt in the United States.

At the start of last month Donald, an art student at Northwestern University in Chicago, captured the coveted NCAA championship - a title previously held by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

It was his fifth victory of the season and made him America's number one college player. Moreover, his stroke average of 70.45 was better than that achieved by Woods three years ago.

Brilliant though the achievement was, it came as no surprise to either Sir Michael Bonallack or Peter McEvoy, Britain's two most successful amateurs since the Second World War.

Both had been in Chile last November to see Donald win bronze individual honours as Britain and Ireland became world amateur team champions.

Bonallack, secretary of the Royal and Ancient Club, said: "He is not unlike Jose Maria Olazabal. He does not play stupid shots. He thinks his way round the course."

Team captain McEvoy, who relishes the prospect of having Donald in his ranks again when Britain and Ireland try to win back the Walker Cup at Nairn in September, added: "His temperament is outstanding and the merit of his game lies in its consistency and its stability."

Now he has the chance to measure himself against professionals as well as amateurs. He partners Irish World Cup winner Paul McGinley and Japan's Katsuyoshi Tomori in the 36-hole qualifying at Panmure.

Like the other three courses, only around 12 of the 120 competitors will win through to Carnoustie.

"I know it is tough, but Justin showed last year that anything is possible," said Donald. "We used to room together and although his pro career has got off to a bad start (it took Rose 22 attempts to make a halfway cut) I'm sure he'll be OK. He has age on his side.

"I've got two more years at college and I'm really enjoying it.

"The NCAA was fantastic. It's rated second only to the US Amateur in America and to win it has given me so much confidence.

"I would say my strengths are that I don't get too flustered and I don't do a lot wrong. I'm good at controlling distance."

Donald met Garcia twice during the Spaniard's amateur days. The first was playing for England Boys at Woodhall Spa and he beat him two and one, the second for the full England side at La Manga two years ago and they finished all square.

Maybe one day they will be on the same side - the Ryder Cup side.