BEN Stow was determined to savour his experience of playing in the Open Championship despite missing the cut at Muirfield today.

The 21 year old amateur, from East Knoyle near Warminster, today added a second-round 77 to his opening 76 to post a score of 11 over par around the Scottish links.

With the cut poised to come at around the seven over par mark as the afternoon players continued their rounds, it meant an early exit for the Wiltshire player, who had qualified for the championship by winning one of the four local final qualifying events earlier this month.

But despite his disappointment at not staying in contention for the weekend's 36 holes, the University of Kentucky student admitted the experience of playing in the company of the world's best players had been "an amazing experience.''

"I've enjoyed every minute of it, I can honestly say that,'' said Stow, who is attached to the Rushmore club on the Hampshire/Dorset border.

"Sometimes a little frustrating, but absolutely incredible. Overall, I'd say I'm a little disappointed with my result, but as an experience and what's happened to me this week, it's been one of best things I've ever done.''

Stow, teeing off in a threeball with 2004 Open champion Todd Hamilton and Swedish Ryder Cup star Robert Karlsson, had high hopes of ducking inside the cut line at the start of the day, despite lying at five-over-par at the start of play

He made a slow start to his second round, bogeying the opening hole, but the real damage was done by back-to-back double bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes.

The Wiltshire ace hit back with birdies and the ninth and 12th, but an up and down finish saw him bogey 13, 16 and 17, double bogey the 14th, birdie the 15th and finish his round on a high with another birdie at the 18th.

He added: "I've played some great golf. I hit some of the best tee shots I've ever hit in my life today. I drove 12 and drove 15. 15 was like a 450-yard drive.

"(There were) a few too many mistakes this week. I didn't position my ball well enough off the tee, I hit it in the rough too many times. And my approach play just wasn't quite tidy enough. I putted nice all week.

"I said to my caddie, if we can get around in one over, maybe  two over, just to give myself a chance. I just made a few too many mistakes on the back nine and struggled at the start.

"Robert (Karlsson) and Todd Hamilton have been pleasant to play with. It's been fantastic. But just being out there, the atmosphere, watching these guys play, hearing the roars, it's where every golfer wants to be.

"It's what everybody aspires to. And you can't be out there and not enjoy it, really. I'm 21, I've got plenty more Opens ahead of me. I'm going to take as much as I can from it.''

MORE FROM STOW ON HIS OPEN EXPERIENCE AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT NEXT WEEK AND IN NEXT WEEK'S WILTSHIRE TIMES