Moor Park golfer Matt Wallace says it would mean the world to play at the Open Championship after finding himself within one event of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.

On Monday, Wallace came through the regional qualifying round for the only major not to be held on US soil by winning at Sandy Lodge in Northwood by shooting a two-under-par 68.

Now Wallace, who is currently competing on the Alps Tour with the aim of reaching the European Challenge Tour next year, can seal his place by coming through the local final qualifying stage at Royal Cinque Ports in Kent on Tuesday.

The 144th Open Championship begins at St Andrews on July 19 and Wallace is desperate to be teeing off at the third major of the year.

“It would mean the world to play in the Open, especially at the home of golf,” he said. “There are a lot of good players I need to beat at the final stage to get there but it is what I have been practicing for and I am excited for the opportunity.

“I am really excited for final qualifying. I have been trying to qualify for the last three years and I have just missed out through being in a play-off for two of them. So I guess now it is third time lucky for me.”

A place at the oldest of the four major championships has eluded Wallace until this point but he claimed he had been optimistic of success prior to Monday.

He said: “I try and play the best golf I can whenever entering a tournament. And I know if I play well I can always compete. That does not always mean winning but winning is always the plan. I have been playing nicely the last few weeks so I felt confident.”

He added: “In each of the last two years I have received my second choice for first stage, down in East Sussex, and I have been in a play-off both times and missed out twice. So this is my first time to final qualifying stage.”

As well as bidding for a place at historic St Andrews next month, the 25-year-old is fighting to earn a place on the European Challenge Tour – a rung below the European Tour – by finishing in the top five on the Alps Tour Order of Merit.

Currently tenth following good finishes at the Red Sea Little Venice Open, Tunisian Golf Open, Open Colli Berici and Open La Pinetina, Wallace has his eyes on making the step up.

“I have been playing well for most of the year and have only missed the cut at my first event in Egypt, so it has been a consistent year so far,” he explained. “The main aim is to finish in the top five of the Order of Merit and that will see me graduate up to the Challenge Tour next year.”

n Two Sandy Lodge Golf Club players have made it through the Regional Qualifying stage of the Open Championship.

Sandy Lodge was one of 13 UK venues for the Open Championship Regional Qualifying round which took place on Monday.

From a high quality field of 102 players, the club’s assistant professional, Crue Elliott posted the joint lowest score on 68 while Joel Field, a Sandy Lodge member, was only one shot behind on 69.

Elliott will now compete at the final qualifying stage at Woburn and Field at Royal Cinque Ports on Tuesday.

Clive Bailey, Sandy Lodge’s general manager, said: “Only seven players from a very strong field of 102 succeeded in reaching the next stage of qualifying and for Sandy Lodge to have secured two of these places is a tremendous achievement. All our members are absolutely delighted.”