The former footballer is a scratch golfer

Former MK Dons midfielder Jimmy Bullard is joining more than 2,000 other golfers in a bid to play in this year’s Open Championship.

The scratch player made three appearances for Dons in 2012 before announcing his retirement from playing, having previously lined up for the likes of Peterborough United, Wigan Athletic, Fulham and Hull City.

Since hanging up his boots, Bullard has appeared in ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ while also featuring as a regular on the Golf Life YouTube channel.

And his golfing acumen has him in the running to potentially qualify for the 154th Open Championship this year at Royal Birkdale. He will take on the Rochester & Cobham Park course in Kent in his bid to qualify for the major, having missed out on his chance to make it last year.

Speaking to Bunkered on his efforts last year, he said: ““I had a go last year. Honestly, I was flying,” Bullard said. “It was the best golf I was ever playing [in the build-up]. I was like eight or nine out of ten, shooting three, four, five-under whenever I played.

“I got to Open qualifying and the thing with those scores, I wasn’t playing in wind. I didn’t take that into consideration.

“Turned up to the Open qualifier. Oh my God, it was blowing 40mph. I knew it was windy, obviously, but I didn’t think it was really going to affect my game.

“I was trying to lean on it and I didn’t realise. It just caught me on the hop. It just caught me. I still scraped it round in a few over and I missed it by two or three.

“I know I can get to that second stage. Honestly, if I play ten times, five of them, I’ll get to second stage. So, I’m right there just see sawing.”

Two-time DP World Tour winner Robert Rock is also entered into regional qualifying, who has previously been caddied by ex-Dons winger Carl Baker at the US Open.