Glasgow ace Conor O'Neil will be hoping his local knowledge can help him book a spot in next month's Open Championship.

The former Scottish Boys' No.1 got his qualifying bid for the Hoylake showpiece off to a successful start in the regional shoot-out at Bruntsfield Links in Edinburgh with a four-under 67.

That gave him a second place finish behind Norwegian winner Kristian Johannessen, who blasted a course-record eight-under 63.

O'Neil was one of eight players who progressed to next Tuesday's 36-hole final qualifier.

And with that event taking place at Glasgow Gailes, the Ayrshire course where O'Neil is a member, the former Glasgow Amateur champ is hopeful he can make home advantage count.

The 22-year-old, who is in his first season as a pro, said: "I'm a member at Glasgow Gailes and play there a lot. I've hit a 64 off the white tees and 65 off the blacks, so I've had some good days there."

O'Neil's 67 had been the lowest score posted at Bruntsfield in the four years that regional qualifying has been held there, but 19-year-old Johannessen destroyed that stat with a sizzling round.

Johannessen was heading straight back to Norway for an event in his homeland before making a swift return to Scottish soil.

Drumpellier's Graham Rankin, the former Scottish Amateur champ and Walker Cup star who had a stint on the European Tour, eased through with a 69. That was the same mark as Milton of Campsie's Tartan Tour player Paul McKechnie.

Bothwell Castle amateur Colin Baird also hit a two-under 69 to make the grade while Cambuslang's Kevin Loughrie, another member of the unpaid ranks, joined the successful posse with a 69.

Next week's final qualifying stage will take place at Glasgow Gailes, Woburn, Hillside and Sunningdale. Only 12 Open places - three at each venue - will be on offer.