Former Premier League stars fall short in bids to qualify for The Open

Former Premier League footballers Jimmy Bullard and Peter Odemwingie have both fallen short in their ambitious attempts to qualify for The Open via Regional Qualifying. Over 2,000 golfers competed across 16 venues for the one-day event on Monday, with each 18-hole tournament offering places into Final Qualifying - played across two rounds on four different courses - on June 30.

Bullard has played in PGA EuroTour events previously and competed in a Legends Tour event last May, but the former Wigan and Fulham midfielder was unable to find the top-eight finish at Rochester & Cobham Park required…