Des Smyth has spent almost three decades pursuing the nomadic existence that is part and parcel of life as a professional golfer, yet there is no evidence that his competitive edge has been blunted in any way.
Earlier this season, he became the oldest ever winner on the European Tour when he won the Madeira Island Open and, yesterday, he provided further proof that there is plenty of life left in the old dog. While all of the other Irish players seeking to tip-toe through the qualifying minefield were tripped up in their efforts, Smyth survived to ensure that he will compete in his 21st British Open.
Indeed, it was an indication of Smyth's perspective on things that he was more excited about booking his place in the field than the fact that he had produced a course record 64 at St Annes Old Links in order to do so.
"I'm not bothered about the record, to be honest, I just want to play in another British Open," said Smyth.
After signing for a 71 in Sunday's first round of qualifying, Smyth was aware that he needed something special yesterday in order to make up lost ground. "I thought I'd blown it in the first round. You have to shoot low in these qualifying competitions if you are going to make it, so 64 is a great score - and all the more enjoyable because I went out knowing that I had to do it," he insisted.
Smyth's bogey-free round included eight birdies, the first of them coming at the opening hole where he pitched to two feet for the perfect start. However, the momentum for a back nine of 31 strokes came from a par save on the ninth where he caught his tee-shot to the par-three 169 yards hole fat and failed to reach the green.
Having managed to keep a bogey off his card, he responded with back-to-back bridies, including a chip-in on the 11th, and then added further birdies on the 14th, 17th and 18th to comfortably qualify in sixth place.
Elsewhere, it wasn't a particularly memorable qualifying process for the other Irish players with none of them threatening to emulate Smyth's feat, while Philip Walton, who had had a first round 78 at Southport & Ainsdale, withdrew before the second qualifying round.
Other casualties included Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance, Per Ulrik Johansson and Constantino Rocca, who was runner-up to John Daly at St Andrews in 1995. However, Jean Van de Velde, who lost a play-off to Paul Lawrie at Carnoustie two years ago, had a 68 to safely make it at Southport. "If I hadn't made it, I would have been very disappointed. It is very important for me to play in this championship," said Van de Velde.
