The stage is set for thrilling qualifying events as golfers from around the world, including some notable families, prepare to compete for a spot in the Open Championship. Graeme McDowell, the Northern Irish golfer, is eager to participate in the tournament, which will be held at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.
“It would be amazing,” the 45-year-old Ulsterman said. “With everything that Rory’s done this year, with Shane being the defending champion, to go back to Portrush, it’s going to be a special week. It goes without saying that I’d love to be a part of it.”
McDowell will tee off with the highly promising Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who has yet to compete at an Open. Other notable golfers participating in the qualifying events include DP World Tour stalwart Matt Southgate, who finished sixth at the 2017 Open, and promising amateurs Tyler Weaver and Kris Kim. If successful, Weaver will warm up for Portrush by representing England Golf men’s squad in the European Amateur Championships from July 8-12 in Kilarney, Ireland.
The qualifying events will be held at various courses across the UK, including the Deal course, where Chris Wood, a former Ryder Cup player, will be looking to qualify for the tournament. Wood was a 20-year-old amateur when he finished in a share of fifth at the 2008 Open at Royal Birkdale.
A year later, only Stewart Cink and Tom Watson finished better than him at Turnberry as he shared third place with Lee Westwood. Both Englishmen are seeking a ticket to Portrush, with Westwood making the journey from LIV Dallas to Dundonald.
The field at the various courses also includes notable golfers such as Alex Noren, who was in the final pairing with champion Scottie Scheffler at the US PGA Championship in May, as well as tour winners Marc Warren and Adrian Meronk.
Former Masters champion Danny Willett will try his luck at West Lancashire, along with the likes of Sam Bairstow, Alex Fitzpatrick, Joe Dean, and Sam Horsfield.
The qualifying events promise to be thrilling, with destiny potentially being decided by sudden death play-off. At each venue, dreams will be realized while hearts are being broken. It is golf in its rawest form, with a place in the game’s most historic tournament at stake. The events will be a true test of skill, determination, and mental toughness, and only the best golfers will emerge victorious.