BARNARD Castle's Rob Dinwiddie should spearhead the North-East charge towards an incredible place in next week's Open Championship over the next couple of days.

Dinwiddie is one of 13 of the region's golfers competing at the four different courses in Scotland in Local Qualifying - the last hurdle to overcome to clinch an appearance at Carnoustie.

The former American college student, now on the Challenge Tour, was able to skip last week's Regional Qualifying, unlike the 12 others who join him across the border today.

But, despite having a high status in the game, if Dinwiddie was to claim a momentous place in this year's Open it would feel just as special as it would for the rest of the golfers he is joined by.

"I have to give it a go and I have been playing well enough so I don't see any reason why I can't make it," said Dinwiddie. "But I'm realistic enough to know that qualifying for the Open is an extremely difficult challenge.

"It would be an absolute dream for me to qualify for the Open, that goes without saying. But it will be tough because the places available are so limited."

Dinwiddie has been drawn at Montrose along with Hexham's Ben Taylor, Teesside's Vince Guest and former Durham county champion Michael Curry, from Brancepeth Castle.

There are 96 competitors at each of the four courses battling it out for just three exclusive places from each venue, where they will all play a round today and then a further 18 holes tomorrow.

At Downfield, Jonathan Greenwood (Close House), James Harper (Seaton Carew) and Graeme Bell (Eaglescliffe) are all going head-to-head.

Ian Parnaby (Ramside), Ricky Lee (Tyneside) and Darren Crowle (Billingham) are all battling it out at Monifieth, while at Panmure Martyn Stubbings (Dinsdale Spa), Thomas Robinson (The Wynyard) and Thomas Curtis (Pannal) will be in attendance.