FORMER Ipswich Town midfielder Lee Bowyer has left himself with a mountain to climb in his bid to qualify for the Open golf championships.

Just two months after Paul Jewell opted against offering Bowyer an extended deal at Portman Road, the veteran midfielder has turned his attention to a very different sport.

But the ex-Town man today shot a 79 at The London Club during regional qualification for the prestigious tournament.

Also in the field was West Ham midfielder Gary O’Neill who teed off this lunch-time – three-and-a-half-hours after Bowyer, who made 29 appearances in his one and only season with Ipswich, scoring twice.

Jewell made the decision not to offer Bowyer a second year after the midfielder insisted he didn’t want to be a bit-part player.

The Blues boss insisted the player he signed on a free 12 months ago could carve out a successful career in coaching.