Welsh golfer Rhys Davies is a regular player on the Asian Tour

Rhys Davies will be the only Welshman at The Open Championship this year as he made it through International Final Qualifying at Sunningdale on Monday.

The 24-year-old, who qualified for the 2007 US Open, finished tied sixth on eight under par and is to make his Open debut at Turnberry next month.

Fellow Welshmen Jamie Donaldson and Bradley Dredge failed in their bid.

Wales were not represented at The Open Championship last year for the first time since 1932.

"I'm absolutely made up, I can't wait for the Open," Davies told BBC Sport.

"I was striking the ball well and I felt good and in a confident mood."

Davies shot a five under par 65 in his first round as the Bridgend golfer, the highest placed Welshman at the weekend's Wales Open, was inspired by four birdies in his first six holes.

But Davies' Open bid threatened to be derailed at the start of his second round with a double bogey on the 489-yard par four second and a bogey on the troublesome eighth.

However, the world number 248 recovered with four birdies in his back nine of the second round to secure a prestigious spot at the 138th Open that starts on 16 July.

"I didn't finish where I hoped at the Wales Open," said Davies, who was tied 26th at The Celtic Manor on the weekend.

"But I knew I was playing well and I carried that on at Sunningdale. I'm over the moon that I've made it to my first Open."

606: DEBATE Should Wales have a bigger representation at The Open?

Davies was one of ten golfers - from a field of 94 - that qualified via International Final Qualifying for next month's Turnberry showpiece.

Argentine Rafa Echenique and England's Graeme Storm topped the leaderboard while David Drysdale, Gary Orr and Branden Grace finished a shot further back.

Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and England's Broadhurst shared eight under par with Davies.

Donaldson finished tied 20th following a five under par at Sunningdale while Dredge was tied 40th on two under par.

Davies, who is a regular on the Asian Tour, now heads to Ireland for the Challenge of Ireland Challenge Tour event at the Moyvalley Hotel & Country Club this weekend.

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