Sluiter leads way after opening 66

OPEN QUALIFYING: Dutchman Tim Sluiter fired a six-under-par 66 to take the first-round lead in the Open Championship 36-hole international qualifier at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington in South Africa yesterday.

Thirty-five of the 49-strong field who teed off in pursuit of three places at Royal Lytham in July were home players, but the top four at the halfway stage were all from overseas.

Sluiter held a one-stroke lead over Spaniard Jordi Garcia, with Brazilian Adilson Da Silva two back and Canadian Andrew Parr three behind.

Scotland’s Alan McLean was one seven players to withdraw from the latest of five qualifiers for Royal Lytham.