Delighted De Los Santos makes the weekend cut in St Andrews

Justin De Los Santos’ maiden trip to Europe has been made even more memorable after the Filipino made it into the weekend rounds of The 150^th Open right on the bubble in his first time attempt.

After opening with a one-under-par 71, the 26-year-old followed up with a 73 which was just enough for him to progress with his two-day total of even-par 144 despite enduring a challenging round at the Old Course in St Andrews.

“It was a tough round. I didn’t play the way I was hoping to. I was having trouble making some putts and making it to the hole as the greens were a little slower due to the rain. But I held on till the end and it was enough to make the cut!

“The winds were completely different as it was blowing in the opposite direction as compared to yesterday. That changed some of the strategies for some of the holes. But, having said that, I’m looking forward to the next two days,” said De Los Santos, who has enjoyed two top-10s on the JGTO this season.

When asked about his strategy for the last 36 holes, De Los Santos said: “I’m just going to stick to the plan which I have drawn up during the practice rounds and hopefully I score a little bit better and see where that puts me. This is my first ever trip to Europe and it has been great!”

Australians Brad Kennedy and Anthony Quayle along with Yuto Katsuragawa will join De Los Santos in the weekend rounds.

Quayle struggled with a 74 in his first round but made up for it by signing for a 69 while rounds of 68 and 72 were also enough for Kennedy, a three-time JGTO winner, to make the cut for the first time in four attempts at the world’s oldest major.

“The feeling of making the cut for the first time didn’t really sink in until I hit my second shot on 18. I could have hit eight different shots but I chose the one I thought was going to get me the closest. I hit it perfectly, down slope and it was good. There are still 36 holes more and the key for me now is to see how far I can push myself mentally and play under pressure,” said Kennedy.

Second round scores of JGTO members

139 - Yuto Katsuragawa (JPN) 71-68

140 - Brad Kennedy (AUS) 68-72

143 – Anthony Quayle (AUS) 74-69

144 - Justin De Los Santos (PHI) 71-73

Missed cut

145 - Scott Vincent (ZIM) 69-76, Takumi Kanaya (JPN) 74-71

146 - Matthew Griffin (AUS) 74-72, Chan Kim (USA) 74-72

147 - Shaun Norris (RSA) 74-73, Keita Nakajima (A) (JPN) 72-75

148 - Rikuya Hoshino (JPN) 75-73

149 - Kazuki Higa (JPN) 73-76

152 – Shugo Imahira (JPN) 80-72