Amateur golfer Rob Wheeler has expressed his excitement and determination after qualifying for the final stage of The Open Championship. The 23-year-old from Aldershot, who shot an impressive two-under-par 68, hopes to emulate the success of his fellow North Hants club member and major winner, Justin Rose.

On Monday, approximately 2,000 players competed across 15 venues, each vying for seven to ten qualification spots to advance to the final stage at Royal Portrush in July. Wheeler was among the fortunate few who secured their place. Next week, he will join over 250 competitors in the final qualifying round, where only 20 spots are available for the prestigious tournament.

After his successful round, Wheeler received a congratulatory message from Rose on Instagram, which he described as a moment filled with emotion. "I want to represent the club really well going forward," Wheeler said. "Justin was a member at North Hants, and it feels like I'm kind of following in his footsteps. I won the Justin Rose Trophy when I was younger, and he presented the trophy to me. It was pretty cool to see his message."

Rose, who finished fourth at The Open as a 17-year-old amateur in 1988, has since become a major champion and Olympic gold medalist. Wheeler, who has narrowly missed final qualifying in the past two years, is now focused on making his dream of turning professional a reality. "I want to turn pro eventually and play golf for a living," he said. "Hopefully, making the final qualifying is one step closer to making that dream a reality."

Final qualifying will take place on 1 July at four courses: Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports, and West Lancashire. Players will compete over 36 holes to secure their spot in the 153rd Open Championship.

Wheeler's journey is a testament to his dedication and skill, and he remains hopeful that he can follow in the footsteps of his idol, Justin Rose, and achieve success on the professional stage.