Justin Rose and English rookie Dominic Clemons were the chosen qualifiers as 16 players secured their place in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon by reaching the final.
Four places in The Open were available each with a starting field of 288 competing in the 36-hole events held at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire.
Burnham & Berrow
Justin Rose and Amateur Championship runner-up Dominic Clemons finished tied for first at 8-under-par to secure the first two qualifying spots at Burnham & Berrow.
The former US Open champion carded an opening-round 65, including four consecutive birdies from the turn, before following up with a three-under 68 in the afternoon. Clemons, who recently missed out on a place at Royal Troon after losing in The Amateur final at Ballyliffin, bounced back with rounds of 68 and 65 to secure his tournament debut.
The last two qualifying spots were secured by Mexico's Abraham Ancer and Sweden's Charlie Lindh after winning a three-point playoff with Aniban Lahiri. The trio finished at five-under-par and Lahiri missed after bogeying the first play-off hole.
Rose said: “The Open has been a legend and a love story for me since I was 14 and graduated from Scotscraig. Obviously there was a silver medal at Royal Birkdale a few years later, so the Open has always been very special.
Sometimes you take it for granted – you don't get paid, you just play for many years, but as you get older, things get a little harder so in a way it's good that you succeed because it makes you enjoy the Open a little more and how special it is.
Returning to Burnham & Berrow was also special – first time back here since 1997.
Dundonald Links
England's Sam Hutsby led the qualifiers in Dundonald, Scotland. The 35-year-old eagled the 5th hole in his afternoon round en route to an 8-under par to secure his place at the Open for the first time.
Angel Hidalgo and Irish Walker Cup player Liam Nolan tied at five-under-par and qualified for their first appearance at Royal Troon. The Spanish DP World Tour player found his spot in spectacular fashion, lofting his shot from 120 yards for eagle.
The final spot was decided after a three-way playoff between local favorites Jack McDonald, Daniel Young and Tim Widing. McDonald, from nearby Kilmarnock (Barassie), holed a 25ft birdie putt to win. McDonald is following in the footsteps of his grandfather Gordon Cosh after playing in The Open in 1977.
Hutsby says: “I'm at a loss for words right now. I missed it twice. It has always been a childhood dream to play in the majors. To be a British player playing in your home Championship, I would never dream of that.
I've been working in a golf shop for the past two years but I've worked incredibly hard and I hope this is a reward for the sacrifices I've made.”
Hidalgo commented: “I'm still shaking.” The second shot was the perfect distance. It was the first time all day that I had a full club in that kind of moment. Emotionally I prefer to have a full club.
Obviously I didn't see the ball go in but to be honest I don't care. I just jumped up and cried with my card and we deserved it. We fight a lot. Throughout this year we have been unlucky so if I end up taking a place in The Open it would be a great gift.”
The Royal Cinque Ports
England's Matthew Southgate secured the first qualifying spot at the Royal Cinque Ports with rounds of 61 and 67 for a six-under 138.
Australian Elvis Smylie and Spanish newcomer Jaime Montojo will make their competitive debuts after finishing tied for second at 3-under-par.
The last place on the list went to another Spanish scholarship, Luis Masaveu, who came out of the three-man play-play alongside Branden Grace and Jamie Rutherford after the trio finished tied for the bottom two. Masaveu won with a birdie on the second qualifying hole.
Other notable players who missed out include 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell, DP World Tour player Thomas Detry and seven-time Asian Tour winner Jazz Janewattananond.
Southgate, who finished sixth at The Open in 2017, said: “I don't want to sound naive or arrogant, but I have a big relationship with The Open. I've already lost the plot crying today.
I have a strong connection with The Open because of my father. He took me to every Open Championship from 1999 until I played my first Open in 2014. Every time I go into Final Qualifying I know I have that in my armoury. I'm not in the first match – I came to get a place because it means everything to me.”
West Lancashire
Englishman Matthew Dodd-Berry will tie it for the first time at The Open after he and Sam Horsfield led the qualifiers in West Lancashire at 6-under-par.
The member of Royal Liverpool was followed by a huge home support and the bird eventually made the biggest cheer of the day as he booked his place at Royal Troon to the delight of family and friends.
They will be joined by Daniel Brown and Misahiro Kawawura, who finished tied for third place back to five under.
Two-time Open runner-up Sergio Garcia missed out on qualifying for the Lancashire links for the second consecutive year after failing to finish on three under alongside Carlos Ortiz and Mexican newcomer Omar Morales.
Dodd-Berry said: “It's the best moment of my career and it's everything I've been working towards, even if I'd done it a year ago and played at Royal Liverpool.
I'm really excited to get to Troon. The support today from everyone was incredible, it's like a little corner of the Wirral here. They have been there for me, asking me how I am doing and cheering me on.
My dad has been a huge influence in my life and has helped improve my game on and off the course, so it's great that he's here to see it.”
Horsfield, who plays in the LIV Golf League, added: “I wasn't expecting anything today, so it's obviously a big step to be fit and play a big role for the first time in a few years.
I always say to everyone that the Open is my favorite major. I had never had this feeling before, that when they called your name on the first tee – that was a great experience. I'm looking forward to coming back and hopefully I can continue to play well. These are the stages you want to play in.”
Visit TheOpen.com for full results from all four Final Qualifiers.
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