IF YOU keep knocking on the door, someone will eventually answer. And David Higgins, who lost his full tour card just over two years ago, showed that persistence will pay when he secured a place in next week’s British Open by emerging from the final qualifying at Glasgow Gailes yesterday.

“I’m delighted, it couldn’t have come at a better time for me and I intend to make the most of it,” said Higgins after producing a second round 69 to add to his opening 70 for a 139 total, three under, that gave him a share of third place with Scotland’s Elliot Saltman.

Four players at each of the three qualifying venues earned the final tickets into next week’s major, but Higgins was the only Irishman to come through.

His success brings the number of Irish players in the field at Turnberry to seven – Pádraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Damian McGrane – and offers Higgins an opportunity to reappear on the big stage.

Having missed the cut on his last appearance in Carnoustie in 2007, Higgins claimed to have learned a lesson and intends to travel over earlier this time.

He will get a chance to sharpen his competitive edge in the Irish PGA at The European Club over the next four days.

Higgins, who is attempting to resurrect his career on the domestic circuit, showed great fortitude in securing his place after a double bogey five at the 12th for a second straight day. His response was to birdie the 13th and 14th and par his way in.

“I’m delighted I made it, I thought I was going to come up a shot short,” he remarked.

He had a shot to spare over fifth-placed Scott Dunlap of the US.

South African Thomas Aiken led the way at Glasgow Gailes with a 67 for 136, while Peter Baker, who won the Credit Suisse tournament on the Challenge Tour last weekend, had a second 69 for 138.

The highlight of Higgins’ round came on the par four ninth hole, where he drove to within 15 yards of the green and chipped in for an eagle two.

Peter O’Keeffe, from Douglas, Co Cork, put in a brave effort in his quest to qualify for a first major when he shot a second round 72 for 142 at Western Gailes. It left him in tied-ninth, two strokes outside an automatic place. Sweden’s Frederick Andersson Hed shot a 67 for 137 to top the qualifiers there.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Caldwell – who’d started the day in tied-11th – shot a 74 for 144 at Kilmarnock Barassie to finish in tied-34th.

Austria’s Markus Brier had a 66 for 130, which left him six shots clear of the other three qualifiers, which included Denmark’s Peter Ellebye who earned his place in the final qualifying by coming out of regional qualifying at Royal Dublin last week.

KARLSSON TO MISS OPEN

LAST YEAR’S European number one Robert Karlsson will miss next week’s British Open Championship because of a problem with his left eye.

The 39-year-old Ryder Cup star, joint seventh at Royal Birkdale last summer, has not played since the European Open at the end of May.

The injury has been affecting his balance as well as his vision. It was originally thought to be an inner ear infection, but then Karlsson was discovered to have fluid behind his retina.

He has been told it could take four to six months to clear up, but having started to suffer early this year the Swede had been hopeful he might recover in time for the Open at Turnberry.

“There’s never a good time for these things to happen, but I’m just looking forward to getting through it and getting back to playing,” said Karlsson yesterday.