Championships at Largs Golf Course in Largs, Scotland yesterday when he fired an 88 in the second qualifying round.

That marked a big improvement on the 95 he shot in the opening round and was good enough for a 10th place finish.

Dave Parsons and Brian Cromby of Scotland and England's Nick Champness were the top three qualifiers for the matchplay competition which begins tomorrow with two rounds. The semi-finals and finals are scheduled for Friday.

"I hit the ball better today but my score didn't show it,'' said Talbot who began with a six on the par three first hole.

Talbot noted the course was tough with narrow fairways bordered by tall grass in the rough. Making it even more difficult is the lack of a practice ground for the players prior to their rounds.

"Andy Robinson, who has won it six times, failed to qualify,'' said Talbot.

"We normally practice beforehand and that makes a big difference. "The course is difficult. If you miss the fairway then you are in high rough which is difficult to get out of with the wet grass. If you shoot an 83 here it's a good score.

"Whereas I'm used to hitting the ball onto the green, here you have to bounce it onto the green.'' Still, Talbot is upbeat about his chances. He will play in a practice round today before taking on two opponents tomorrow in what will be 36 gruelling holes.

"The course won't change for me, I have to change for the course,'' said the two-time winner.