Robert Rock continued to roll back the years as he moved a step closer to teeing it up at The 152nd Open by progressing from Regional Qualifying.
The Englishman called time on his long DP World Tour career towards the end of the 2022 season, but he is once again impressing with a second consecutive Major Championship appearance now in sight.
Rock surprised himself by qualifying for his first U.S. Open in 12 years earlier this month after coming through Final Qualifying at Walton Heath, going on to play all four rounds at Pinehurst No. 2.
Just over a week on from that, the 47-year-old was among seven players to progress out of Regional Qualifying from Kedleston Park into Final Qualifying for The Open Championship at Royal Troon from July 18-21.
The two-time DP World Tour winner recovered from opening with back-to-back bogeys to card a three-under-par 67 in Derbyshire, as a total of 100 spots in Final Qualifying were secured at one of the 15 Regional Qualifying venues.
Justin Harding, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, carded a six-under-par 66 to be among seven qualifiers from Moor Park and boost his hopes of making his fifth appearance at The Open.
Among other players to progress to Final Qualifying were Challenge Tour members Ryan Lumsden, Jonathan Thompson, OJ Farrell, Josh Hilleard and Henric Sturehed.
Lumsden was the top qualifier from North Hants as the Scotsman carded a three-under-par 67.
Thompson, who overcame childhood cancer and made a hole-in-one at The Open at Royal St George's in 2021, joined Rock in progressing from Keddleston Park as he posted a two-under-par 68, while Sweden's Sturehed shot a 69 at the same venue.
Farrell and fellow Englishman Hilleard two of seven players to qualify from Minchinhampton after both posted a six-under-par 66.
Final Qualifying takes place at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire on July 2.
