Justin Rose and English amateur Dominic Clemons were among the qualifiers for The 152nd Open at Royal Troon through Final Qualifying. The event saw 16 players earn their place in the prestigious championship, with four spots available at each of the four venues: Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald, Royal Cinque Ports, and West Lancashire. Rose and Clemons finished tied for first place at Burnham & Berrow, securing their spots with impressive performances.
Rose, a former US Open champion, reflected on the significance of qualifying for The Open, noting that the championship has always been special to him. Clemons, who narrowly missed out on a spot at Royal Troon after losing in the final of The Amateur, bounced back with strong rounds to secure his debut in the tournament. Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and Sweden’s Charlie Lindh also earned qualifying places after a three-way play-off.
At Dundonald Links, England’s Sam Hutsby led the qualifiers with a strong performance, securing his first appearance at The Open. Angel Hidalgo and Irish Walker Cup player Liam Nolan also qualified for the championship. Hidalgo clinched his spot in dramatic fashion, holing a wedge shot for an eagle on the final hole. The final qualifying place was determined after a three-player play-off, with local favorite Jack McDonald coming out on top.
Royal Cinque Ports saw England’s Matthew Southgate claim the first qualifying place with rounds of 61 and 67. Australian Elvis Smylie and Spanish amateur Jaime Montojo secured their debut appearances at The Open in a tie for second place. The final qualifying place went to another Spanish amateur, Luis Masaveu, after a three-man play-off. Notable players who missed out on qualifying included Graeme McDowell and Thomas Detry.
At West Lancashire, English amateur Matthew Dodd-Berry and Sam Horsfield led the qualifiers on six-under-par. Dodd-Berry, a Royal Liverpool member, delighted family and friends with a birdie at the last to secure his place at Royal Troon. They were joined by Daniel Brown and Misahiro Kawawura, who finished tied for third. Sergio Garcia missed out on qualifying for the second year in a row.
Reflecting on their qualifying performances, Dodd-Berry expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to play in The Open, while Horsfield noted the significance of qualifying for his favorite major. The qualifiers from all four venues are now set to compete at Royal Troon in The Open. To stay updated on the event, visit TheOpen.com for full results from the Final Qualifying venues. The journey to The Open showcases the talent and determination of these players as they compete on the global stage.
