American James Nicholas overcame all the seasons at Burnham & Berrow to secure his debut appearance at The Open, finishing top of the leaderboard on 10-under.

Nicholas backed up a bogey-free opening round of 65 with a superb 67 in the ever-changing afternoon conditions to finish one shot clear of fellow American Caleb Surratt, who will also make his Open debut at Royal Birkdale after rounds of 67 and 66.

Fresh from his major debut at the U.S Open, 22-year-old Surratt’s excellent second round ensured he finished second on his own ahead of three more debutants on eight-under-par, who all had a nervy wait to see if one of the late finishers could force a play-off.

Home favourite Tom Sloman, playing alongside Surratt, made the most of his course knowledge as the weather started to turn after lunch to post the best second round total, with three birdies in the last six holes for a 65 to finish on eight-under-par.

Spanish amateur Alejandro De Castro Piera will also make his major debut at The Open after following up an opening, bogey-free 65 with a 69 to join Sloman on eight-under-par, with Austen Truslow completing the qualifiers after rounds of 66 and 68.

The 30-year-old American, who was engaged last week, admitted he considered giving up golf last year, but he is now set for his first appearance in The Open and said it will be a “dream come true” to tee it up at Royal Birkdale.