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By Joe Chemycz
PGA TOUR Staff

American Michael Putnam led a contingent of 12 golfers who earned spots Monday in this month's British Open at Carnoustie, Scotland.

Michael Putnam (WireImage)

A total of 83 players teed it up in the 36-hole International Final Qualifier -- America (IFQ) at the famed Oakland Hills Country Club in suburban Detroit.

The 26-year old PGA TOUR rookie put himself in good position early in the day by turning in a solid 1-under-par 69 at the 7,445-yard South Course -- host to nine major championships over the years and site of the 2004 Ryder Cup and the 2008 PGA Championship.

Putnam, who tied for 20th at last week's Buick Open in Grand Blanc about 45 minutes up the road, added a 3-under 67 on the shorter North Course, good for a 4-under 136 total and medalist honors.

"They set it up about as hard as they could set it up, probably just like the (United States) Open," said Putnam, who will be making his first appearance in golf's oldest major championship. "I wasn't grinding at all. I had a lot of chances to make some birdies today and I made a few of them. My round on the North Course was probably one of my top five rounds this year."

John Senden (WireImage)

Australian John Senden (66-72) and American Ryan Moore (71-67) were next in line at Oakland Hills, each posting 2-under 138 totals. For Senden, who tied for 35th at last year's Open at Royal Liverpool, it's a chance to finally get on the venerable course that has crowned such illustrious champions as Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Tom Watson.

"I've been trying to qualify for the British Open since 1997 and this will be number three for me," said Senden. "It will be great to get back to Carnoustie. I was there in 1999 when Paul Lawrie won but I didn't get to play in the tournament. I did get a look around though."

Senden, like Putnam, got off the right foot by putting together a 4-under 66 in the morning on the North Course to share the early lead with fellow Australian Mark Hensby as well as PGA TOUR veteran Duffy Waldorf and South Africa's Craig Lile.

"The South Course is a really strong golf course and if you think you don't have your 'A' game around here, there's no way you shoot under-par at all," said Senden, who shot 71-77 to miss the cut by five shots at the Buick Open. "It's like Oakmont. You need to have every part of your game together because it tests every part of it. "

Senden was in fine shape and stood at 1-under on the South Course through eight holes but gave four shots back over the next six and appeared on his way to the U. S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee instead of the British Open.

"I had to hang tough to the end," he said after closing his round with a birdie-3 at the 498-yard, 18th. "This (IFQ) gives the whole world a chance to qualify and hopefully it brings out the best opportunity for every Tour to play the Open."

American Matt Kuchar posted the day's best round, a 6-under 64 on the North Course, which combined with his morning 5-over 75 on the South Course to give him a 139 score, just enough to make a return visit to Scotland.

"The whole experience is different. I haven't had great success but I've always loved my time spent over there," he said. "I played in Walker Cups and the Palmer Cup at St. Andrews and two British Opens. The people are great. They love golf. Being there feels like you get back to the roots of the game. You've got to learn shots and it makes golf fun to try and learn a different way to play for a while."

Also at 139 were Englishman Brian Davis (74-65), Charley Hoffman (67-73) and Sweden's Anders Hultman (70-69).

Davis has made six starts in the Open and made the cut twice. He tied for 68th at Carnoustie and tied for sixth at Royal St. George's in 2003.

Americans Sean O'Hair (68-72) and Jerry Kelly (68-72) also earned spots with their even-par 140 scores.

The final drama of the day came when six players were tied at 1-over 141 and there were only three spots left, forcing a sudden-death playoff. The half dozen included longtime PGA TOUR star Duffy Waldorf, Australian Mark Hensby and Steve Allan along with Americans Spencer Levin, Robert Oppenheim and Kevin Streelman.