Bury golfer Grant Hamerton is mixing it with some legends of the sport after qualifying for the Senior Open in Porthcawl, Wales this weekend.

The Pike Fold Golf Club member scored a round of 68 (two under par) to win his qualifier at Southerndown earlier this week.

And he was naturally delighted as he aims to put in a good performance this weekend, the annual tournament having got under way today.

Speaking ahead of the first tee-off, Hamerton said: “I was delighted to qualify for the Senior Open 2023.

“I was pleased with my performance at Southerndown on Monday and I’m hoping that I can reproduce that kind of form at the main event.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of competing against legends of the game at such a renowned course.

“Links courses can be tricky at the best of times but with the weather conditions looking unfavourable, anyone who wants to win will really have to bring their A-game.”

Hamerton was the only one of a handful of local golfers who qualified for the showpiece event to compete alongside the likes of Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiminez, Bernhard Langer, Paul Lawrie and Colin Montgomerie.

Mark Latham, of Hart Common Golf Club, in Westhoughton, missed out after carding a seven-over-par 79 in his qualifier at Ashburnham, finishing equal 58th.

The Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl will crown its champion on Sunday with defending champion, Darren Clarke, looking to do well again.