FORMER Premier League midfielder Jimmy Bullard will compete in qualifying for golf major The Open.
The ex-Wigan, Fulham and Hull star plays off a scratch handicap and regularly takes on famous faces as a part of YouTube channel GOLF LIFE.
He previously attempted to qualify for The Open back in 2013 immediately after retiring from football.
On that occasion, he missed out by four shots at the regional stage.
Now he is preparing to give things another go – with the regional event set for June 24.
If successful, he will progress through to Final Qualifying on July 2 when 2,000 players are trimmed down to at least 16 who will then advance to the four-day tournament that gets underway on July 18.
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Any scratch handicapper can attempt to qualify for The Open – which is taking place at Royal Troon in Scotland this year.
And Bullard, 45, who is employing fellow YouTube co-host and friend Ange as his caddie, is backing himself to perform at Rochester & Cobham Park.
Speaking to The Express, he said: “I’ve been around some Open qualifiers. I’ve caddied for some players and I know that one or two under can get you in. I’ve got that in my locker.
“When I play and I’m on it, I’ve got that. I know I have. That’s all it’ll need. It’s just one round [in the regionals] so anyone can shoot lights out and get the flushes. You’ve seen me get the flushes! It’s possible.
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“That would be our Open, to get to that second [qualifying stage] which is a proper tour event – that would be amazing.”
Bullard recently spent six years as a presenter on Sky Sports’ Soccer AM – which aired its final show in May 2023.
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Yet despite keeping himself busy in the media, he believes his golf is at a higher level now than it was during his first Open qualification attempt back in 2013.
He added: “I’m a better player now without a shadow of a doubt. I wasn’t taking it as seriously back then.
“It’s going to be tough but I didn’t think I’d reach the Prem, and I did. So who’s to tell me I can’t do it? Nobody.”
Bullard, who played 90 games in the Premier League, will tee off at 12.09pm on June 24.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
