JON Bevan congratulated Michael Watson on his recent glory – and then he targeted qualification for the 2010 Open Championships at St Andrews.

Bevan and Watson are colleagues at the Wessex Golf Centre, which has been a hotbed for success in past months with the latter being crowned the PGA’s top dog.

This entitles Watson to compete in such illustrious tournaments at the BMW PGA Championships, which will be held at Wentworth in June.

And Bevan could not be happier for his chum, telling the Echo: “It’s great to see him doing well and that result was always round the corner. He just happened to do it in the biggest event.

“I will be cheering him on this year and will go to see him at Wentworth. I always look out for his results and he’s fully deserved everything that’s come his way.

“He is the king of the Wessex Golf Centre at the moment but I’m ready to dethrone him.”

The pair’s friendly rivalry has spurred on Bevan, who is endeavouring to make it through to the sport’s flagship event for the fourth time in five years.

Following his participation in 1999 and then for three successive years from 2006, the local professional is determined to be on the first tee at the Home of Golf come July.

Bevan said: “I’m through to final qualifying, which is on June 21 and will consist of 36 holes on one day, on a course close to St Andrews.

“There are only four spots up for grabs out of 96 players but I fancy my chances of getting through and my record in qualification is good.

“I have never played the Old Course at St Andrews but I walked round there in 2005. Certainly it’s something that I’d love to do and I think it’s my sort of course.

“I’ve not set my sights on any targets if I make it there, the most important thing is that I’m in good enough form to qualify. If I manage to do that, then I’ll reassess my goals.”

Also of vital importance to Bevan is his work as club professional at the Wessex Golf Centre, where he teaches golfers of all ages and abilities.

He added: “We’ve got a lot of improving golfers at the centre and the new and improved facilities are a real godsend – they’ve made a huge difference.

“It can be difficult to devote equal time to both but I get the same enjoyment out from teaching as I do from playing, and I’ve been happy with the standard of golf I’ve managed to maintain.”