The former Hunter district representative dramatically secured a spot at his maiden US Open after sinking a 40-foot play-off putt on his 34th birthday earlier this week and is now eyeing off a third crack at the British Open.

Barnes, who contested the British Open in both 2010 and 2011, needs a top-four finish at the Mizuno Open in Japan to play at St Andrews in July and he started the 72-hole tournament with a one-under 71 on Thursday.

Barnes hit three birdies and two bogeys in the opening round at JFE Setonaikai Golf Club in Okayama, with his back nine under the card and his front nine over.

This included one-putt birdies on the par five second and 18th as well as the par four 17th but he dropped shots after two putting the first and sixth.

He is tied 31st overall and eight shots off the leader Michael Hendry (-9) with Yoshinori Fujimoto (-7), Toru Taniguchi and Hidezumi Shirakata (-6) next best.

Three rounds remain and will be played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

The Muswellbrook native is still riding the high of nabbing a place at next month’s US Open, which will be held at Chambers Bay in Washington state from June 18 to 21.

The 183 centimetre and 98 kilogram golfer was involved in a five-way play-off for the remaining three US Open spots available at Japan’s Kinojo Golf Club on Monday.

Barnes, who finished tied for third at 11-under following rounds of 67 and 66, booked the penultimate position after successfully making a 40-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole of the 36-hole sectional qualifier.

“It’s very exciting times,” Barnes told Fairfax Media.

“Any time you can play a major in your golf career it’s definitely a highlight, and I’m going to draw on the experience I had in the two [British] Open championships.

“I’m pretty excited to get there and just enjoy the week and play some good golf.”