DALE Whitnell is hoping that history repeats itself when he competes for a coveted place in the Open Championship today.

The Colchester-born professional will battle it out at final qualifying for one of three available slots for next month’s tournament, when he returns to Hillside.

Whitnell, from Tiptree, has fond memories of the Southport links venue, where he successfully qualified for the Open Championship back in 2012 after topping the leaderboard with an impressive nine-under-par total of 135.

The Forrester Park GC player went onto to make the cut at Royal Lytham and St Annes, where he tied 60th with current world number four Rory McIlroy.

Four years on, he wants a repeat showing in final qualifying to book his place in this year’s Open at Royal Troon and a chance to mix it with the world’s best once again.

Whitnell told the Daily Gazette: “I chose Hillside for final qualifying – I won it here in 2012 so being here brings back good memories for me and I know the course well.

“I’ve played here quite a few times here as an amateur and a pro and qualifying here before gives me a lot of confidence to go out and perform.

“It’s a pressure situation and a lot of guys haven’t been in this environment before and haven’t played in Majors.

“I’m fortunate enough to have played in an Open Championship before and it’s something that will stand me in good stead - it was such a great experience.”

Whitnell booked his place at Hillside following an impressive performance in regional qualifying at Frilford Heath, last Monday.

The 27-year-old, who represented Great Britain and Ireland in the 2009 Walker Cup, was victorious with a three-under-par 69 to book his place at Hillside.

“I’m feeling confident – I played lovely in qualifying and won it at Frilford Heath, which was good,” added Whitnell, who made his professional debut on the European Tour in 2009.

“I’ve had a bit of time off and I’ve spent a few months practising and getting prepared for this; I feel like I’m in good shape.

“The course is a bit dry and I don’t think they’ve had the same amount of rain as we’ve had in the south over the last few days.

“You have to manage your game well here.

“I think that the key is to play sensible – you need to keep it on the fairways and pick and choose where you have to gain your shots.

“You have to try to keep it out of the rough and it’s damage limitation.

“Everyone will make bogies because it’s very difficult but you don’t want to make too many.

“It’s not easy – you have to play well because only three of the 75 will progress.

“You can’t afford to think too far ahead and it’s all about staying in the present.”

Whitnell is due to tee off his first round at 7.20am, with his second round scheduled for 1.05pm.