10 January 2012 09:41 GMT

Australians Chris Gaunt and Neven Basic are tied for the lead, on 3-under-par, after the first round of International Final Qualifying (IFQ) for The Open 2012 at Kingston Heath Golf Club.

With the Claret Jug being one of the most sought after prizes in professional golf, all 45 players in the field were out to play their best golf in a bid to claim one of three places at the 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes (15-22 July).

Despite a field including Australian golfing legends Craig Parry, Peter Senior and Peter Lonard, it was Gaunt and Basic who were able to post the score of the day in tough Melbourne Sandbelt conditions.

“It was blowing a gale out there, the holes coming home on the back nine were quite windy so it’s pretty tough,” said Gaunt.

Victorian Gaunt had a consistent round with five birdies, three of those coming consecutively, and just two bogeys contributing to his final 3-under-par 69 score.

“I putted very solid today. I probably could have made a few more but I could have missed a few more as well.”

Gaunt, who is yet to play in The Open Championship, is comfortable heading into tomorrow’s final round.

“I haven’t qualified before. I played in Europe once and missed by a shot, that’s the closest I have been so I am pretty keen to get in there and do it.”

His co-leader also has experience of coming close to qualifying for golf’s oldest Major.

“This is my third go at IFQ, I missed by one about four years ago which hurt,” said Basic.

“It would be awesome to play in a Major, it’s something that you have watched on television since you are 10 or 12 years of age so to actually get to play would be fantastic.

“To play in such a historic place with the best players in the world would be fantastic.”

Two-time qualifier Kurt Barnes, of New South Wales, looked to be in a commanding position before dropping shots late in his round. Sitting at 5-under-par after 15 holes Barnes looked unstoppable yet came unstuck with double bogeys on both the 16th and 17th.

He went on to birdie the final hole and finish one shot back from the lead at 2-under-par along with seven other players including Australians Heath Reed, Nicholas Cullen, Aaron Townsend, Alistair Presnell, Joshua Younger, David Bransdon and David McKenzie.

For a full list of round one results click here.