Slocum makes most of chance

Former Milton grad Heath Slocum made the long trek to British Open and wasn’t even guaranteed a spot in the field.
But Slocum got his chance and made the best of it by finishing in 32nd place at 15-over par.
As Slocum moved up from 43rd to his final finish, 1986 Open Champion Greg Norman falters and fell into a tie for third place as Padraig Harrington cruised to a four stroke win.
Slocum, who made the trip to Southport, England, didn’t find out he was going to even play in the British Open until 30 minutes before he was to tee off as Toru Taniguchi had withdrawn from play.
When all was said and done Slocum, who at one point on day two was tied for third place, ended up finishing tied with Richard Green, Andrews Romero, Nick O’Hern, Tom Lehman, Todd Hamilton, and Retief Goosen as he finished day four at 2-over par round of 72.
Most of the weekend high winds and rain plagued all the players especially Boo Weekley on day one as Slocum’s fellow Milton grad had a rough morning on day one.
After an opening round of 80, Weekley played Friday’s round at 3-over par of 73, but missed the cut by four strokes.
Weekley finished the tournament in a tie for 125th place overall.
Slocum also had his troubles on Friday as he saw a rough back nine at Birkdale cause his score of 3-over quickly balloon to 9-over and on the cusp on not making the field himself.
But Slocum learned he had made the cut and prepared for the weekend, where he moved on up the leaderboard.