LIKE a poisonous snake, Stuart Andrew is silently lying in wait and ready to spit venom at his rivals' dreams of making the Open.

The Clitheroe professional doesn't have to display his competitive streak too often these days-- but as most of this week's hapless regional qualifiers have found out, when it comes to the fore it can be deadly.

Andrew proved this at Pleasington on Monday when his round of 69 comfortably secured him a place in this weekend's final qualifier at Western Gailes.

It was impressive stuff from a man who, by his own admission, rarely gets the chance to show off his swing in such an intense environment.

"I haven't played much competitive golf for two years because of my work for a building contractor," he said.

"I only play once a week, just a pro-am on a Wednesday. This year I've won six out of nine, but there's only about 15 in it and a lot of the lads work in the shop. But they all play more than I do.

"But I've played in European Tour events and at a high standard in my time so I'm going to go all out now and just need to keep doing the same thing.

"But I'll probably have to take a couple of days off work to get some practice in!"

Andrew benefited from an early tee off time at Pleasington on Monday, getting round the front nine before the breeze picked up later in the day.

He capitalised fully on the calm conditions with four birdies, but the prospect of rougher weather north of the border holds no fear.

In fact, he hopes to use his experience of a decade on the professional circuit to blow away the other golfers who have Troon in their sights.

Andrew said: "I've played in every type of condition all around the world but if the weather is bad it makes it harder and I prefer that.

"The more experienced players will come through but if it's calm it's a bit easier all round, so ideally you want it to be more difficult because your better players will prevail more often than not.

"Even though I don't play as much as I used to I think being a pro for 10 years at a high level you learn from that and it's all experience, you never forget it."

The Open has eluded Andrew on the four previous times he has made the final qualifiers, even losing in a play-off when it was held at St Andrews in 2000.

He said: "I've tried for 10 years and it's one of the things you want to play in. The game is there somewhere, it's just getting it out. I know I can do it and if I get in then I will have a go for it.

"It's harder to get in than it is to make the cut so I will be doing as well as I possibly can."

But while most golfers have a dreamy outlook on life when the Open hits the horizon, Andrew's eyes are more likely to be filled with pound signs than sentimental tears.

He added: "People say you do it for fun but you don't, you do it for the money and there's an awful lot of money up there."

ANDREW Westwell is determined to enjoy the qualifying whatever the outcome - but he'll certainly settle for similar conditions to Monday.

His 72 on his home course came courtesy of a steady round in a steady breeze, which he hopes doesn't accelerate to gale force by the time he reaches the Glasgow Gailes course on Saturday.

Westwell said: "I'm not a long hitter so the ball isn't in the air as long, so I don't mind a bit of wind.

"Golf is like any sport, you've got to do it on the day but I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait."