Dartford Golf Club’s Michael Saunders and Dan Byrne will bid to win a place in this year’s Open Championship at Turnberry when they compete in final qualifying at Kilmarnock’s Barassie GC on Monday and Tuesday.

The two 18-year-old friends, who both started playing at the Heath Lane club six years ago, earned their chance by coming through the regional qualifying event at Rochester & Cobham GC last week .

Saunders produced a superb performance to finish top of the near-100 strong field who were chasing the 10 places on offer, firing a three-under-par 68 – making him the only player to break 70.

The Kent county team member said: "I played nicely and hit the ball very solidly. I made the final qualifying last year as well but didn’t get through to the Open, and it would be amazing if I could do it this time and have the chance to play at Turnberry."

The former Wilmington GS pupil is now a student at North West Kent College and hopes to win a golf scholarship in the USA to enhance his chances of turning professional.

Byrne (pictured), who recently left Leigh Technology School, also wants to join the professional ranks at some stage.

The former Kent Junior and Colts team member booked his place at Barassie with a powerful finish at Rochester, bagging three birdies in the last four holes to squeeze in on level par 71.

He said: "They were quite windy conditions and the pin positions were pretty tough as well, and I was really pleased to finish three-under for the last four holes."

For Byrne, this is the first year he has tried to qualify for the Open, and he added: "Michael and I are very good friends, and it’s quite a coincidence that we have both been drawn to play at the same course in final qualifying, considering how many players will be taking part."

But they both know how tough it will be to make it through next week, with only four places on offer at each of the three final qualifying courses for the Open itself at Turnberry from July 16-19.

The full list of qualifiers: Michael Saunders (Dartford), James Smith (Sundridge Park), Thomas Crozer (Deangate Ridge), Daniel Byrne (Dartford), Chris Gill (Exeter), Daniel Casey (The London Club), Lloyd Campbell (Rochester & Cobham Park), Amir Habibi (Rochester & Cobham Park), Joey Carlisle (World of Golf), Xavier Feyaerts (Belgium).