Joyous Boyd earns British Open start.

MIDDLETON Cheney's Gary Boyd has booked a place in next week's British Open after a nail-biting play-off victory in a qualifying competition.

Boyd went into a three-way play-off at Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club on Tuesday evening desperate to earn one of the last two remaining qualifying places for next week's Open at Royal Birkdale.

And he had to hang on until the sixth play-off hole to claim victory - his par five being enough to start the celebrations after rival Jonathan Lupton of Middlesbrough hit a bogey six.

Four qualifying places were available at Southport & Ainsdale following 36 holes of intense competition over two days.

Amateur …