Gaurav Ghei makes the grade

India's Gaurav Ghei continued his love affair with Scotland's Links courses on Tuesday by shooting a second round 68 to qualify for this week's British Open.

Ghei, victor over European number one Colin Montgomerie of Scotland in last year's Alfred Dunhill Cup at St Andrews, had a two-round total of eight-under-par 135 (67-68) to finish second at Irvine Bogside and win 400 pounds sterling.

Ghei was part of a 29-strong group of golfers from the Asian PGA's Omega tour bidding for spots in the British Open, a campaign sponsored by Johnnie Walker.

Mardan Mamat became the first Singaporean to qualify for the world's most famous golf event when he birdied the first play-off hole at Glasgow Gailes. Six players were fighting for three spots, and Mamat made sure of teeing up at Royal Troon on Thursday by draining a 10-foot putt.

Omega tour regular John Kernohan of the United States led the qualifiers at Irvine Bogside with a two round total of nine-under-par 133 (67-66), while compatriot and fellow Asian PGA representative Eric Rustand is first reserve for an Open spot after missing out in a play-off for four places.

The 28-year-old Ghei, who won the 1995 Gadgil Western Masters on the Omega tour after chipping in at the final hole, had birdies at the second, third, 11th, 15th and 18th holes and bogeys at the fourth and ninth.

''It was pretty tough out there, cold and windy,'' said Ghei. ''What really made my round was the second shot at the 11th where I hit a three iron to three foot and made birdie, after my birdie at the 15th I knew that if I made one more I had a great chance of qualifying - I played safe on the difficult 17th and went for it on the last.

''I do not care if I am paired with Montgomerie - the British Open is not one to one but against the course,'' said Ghei, "but I would like to play with him on Saturday or Sunday as it will mean I have made the cut.''

India's Jeev Milka Singh, who was also a member of the last year's Alfred Dunhill Cup, missed out on qualifying. ''I hit the ball well today and I am encouraged by my score,'' said Singh. ''I will keep trying to qualify for the British Open, it is a great ambition of mine. What really hurt me this time was my bad start in the first round.''

Arjun Atwal had hoped to build on his opening par 71 at Irvine Bogside but slumped to a six-over-par 77 in the second round.