Marshall stands tall to make US Seniors golf showdown
Dereham golfer Andrew Marshall has played his way into this month's US Senior Open (Image: Rushmer PR)
Norfolk golfer Andrew Marshall is bound for the U.S Senior Open after battling through a qualifier in North Carolina, writes Tony Rushmer.
Marshall fired a three-under-par round of 69 to finish runner-up in a field of more than 60 players at River Landing Golf Club.
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His strong performance meant he became one of seven to make it through to the $4million seniors showdown, which will be staged from June 26-29 at The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado.
Marshall completed the opening nine holes of the qualifier in level par, trading an early bogey for a birdie at the par-5 eighth hole.
The Dereham Golf Club member surged through the gears in the second half of his round and from the 13th hole peeled off three straight birdies, which proved decisive.
Then he stood tall through the closing three holes to earn his spot in the second seniors major of the season.
Marshall, 51, said: 'I hit some solid shots under a bit of pressure. I didn't drop anything – I nearly did on 16 but holed a 10-footer for my par. Then I hit a good shot with a 3-rescue – like a hybrid – into about 15 feet at the 17th, a long par-3.
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'The 18th is their signature hole and you have to hit it at least 260 yards to get past the corner. Then I had 131 to a tight left flag into a stiff breeze and thought 'You haven't got to be a hero this week, just knock it on and two-putt'.
'So I punched a 9-iron just right of the hole to about 15 feet away and dollied it down to tap in. I was more than happy.'
He can now look forward to rubbing shoulders with elite over-50s stars such as Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington.
Not that the experience will unsettle Marshall, who came up through the Norfolk County Golf Union ranks before enjoying a successful European Tour career.
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He said: 'I think I've proved I'm more than capable of playing against some of those guys.'
Marshall competes mainly on the Legends Tour and before returning to the US at the end of the month is set to tee up in Greece next week. He also has events on home soil to look forward to, such as the Senior Open at Sunningdale at the end of July.
He said: 'I feel very positive. It's nice to be playing well with some big events around the corner.'
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