27 January 2005	Thursday	16 Zilhaj 1425

MELBOURNE, Jan 26: Former U.S. amateur champion Nick Flanagan won a four-way playoff on Wednesday to join Peter Fowler, David Diaz and Martin Doyle as the four Australasian qualifiers for this year's British Open at St Andrews.

Flanagan beat Nathan Green, Andrew Tschudin and Shannon Beck in a three hole playoff to grab the last qualifying berth after the four Australians had finished the two round tournament tied at one-over par 145.

Fowler won the qualifying tournament at Melbourne's Kingston Heath with a 36-hole total of five-under-par 139 after rounds of 70 and 69. He finished two shots clear of Diaz who shot an even-par 72 on Wednesday and Doyle who finished with a 71.

Leading scores after the second and final round139 q-Peter Fowler 70 69 141 q-David Diaz 69 72 144 q-Martin Doyle 73 71 145 q-Nick Flanagan 75 70, Nathan Green 72 73, Shannon Beck 73

72, Andrew Tschudin 73 72 146 Chris Downes 68 78, Matthew Ecob 75 71 147 Adam Crawford 76 71, Adam Le Vesconte 72 75, Steven Bowditch 73 74, Marc Leishman 72 75. -Reuters