The R&A will make three additional places in The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale available to golfers competing in Final Qualifying after a record number of entries were received.
Fifteen places in golf’s most international Major Championship will now be on offer to the 360 players in the Final Qualifying (FQ) field on Tuesday, 4 July.
Some household names will be competing to earn a place in The Open when it returns to the famous Southport links from 16-23 July. Among those who have entered for FQ so far are Ian Poulter, who finished runner-up behind Padraig Harrington the last time The Open was played at Royal Birkdale in 2008. Vijay Singh, the 2000 Masters champion and two-time PGA Champion, and Retief Goosen, who won the US Open on two occasions, have also entered.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “We have received an unprecedented number of entries for Final Qualifying from golfers aiming to earn at place at The Open this year and have expanded the format to accommodate the record field. It is always an exciting and dramatic day for golfers who are in many cases looking to achieve a lifetime ambition by securing a place alongside the world’s best golfers in The Open.”
Notts (Hollinwell) in Nottinghamshire has been announced as the fifth venue for FQ alongside Gailes Links, Hillside, Royal Cinque Ports and Woburn (Marquess’). This follows the 13 Regional Qualifying events that will be played at venues throughout Great Britain and Ireland on Monday, 26 June.
Several professional Tour and elite amateur events have been played at Notts (Hollinwell), including the Dunlop Masters, and it was the venue for the Brabazon Trophy in 2015. Matthew Fitzpatrick won the Boys Amateur Championship there in 2012. It has already been confirmed as a Final Qualifying venue for The 147th Open at Carnoustie in 2018.