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The Open Championship – 2026 Regional, Final & Last Chance Qualifying

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Last Updated 13th July 2026

Introduction

156 players will contest the 154th Open Championship which will be played at Royal Birkdale G.C. on 16-19 July 2026.

The majority of the field were made up of exempt players; recent major champions, winners of professional events and leading players in the world rankings.

The remaining players had to qualify either via The Open Qualifying Series, Regional and Final Qualifying or for the first time this year a Last Chance Qualifier.

26 places were allocated to The Open Qualifying Series. The leading 1-3 players, not already exempt, at 15 professional tour events in 13 countries played in 2025 and 2026 earned these spots.

20 spaces were given over to Final Qualifying. Regional Qualifying was played on Monday 22nd June 2026 with Final Qualifying taking place on Tuesday 30th June 2026. Players in Regional Qualifying played to earn the opportunity to take part in Final Qualifying which presents the gateway in to The Open.

A 12-man Last Chance Qualifying invitational event was played at Royal Birkdale G.C. on Monday 13th July 2026.

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Current Amateur Qualifiers

10 amateurs made it through to the 2026 Open Championship field. They are: –

2025 U.S. Amateur Championship – Mason HOWELL (USA)
2025 Asia-Pacific Champion – Fifa LAOPAKDEE (THA)
2026 Latin America Amateur Champion – Mateo PULCINI (ARG)
2026 African Amateur Champion – Jack BUCHANAN (RSA)
2026 Amateur Champion – Stuart GREHAN (IRL)
2026 European Amateur Champion – Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER)
2026 Open Amateur Series* Winner – Lev GRINBERG (FRA)
FQ Burnham & Berrow Alejandro DE CASTRO PIERA (ESP) – WAGR Leading 8 Entries (#78)
FQ Dundonald Links David HOWARD (Fota Island, IRL) 70 – The Island RQ Res. 5 after Pay-Off
FQ Dundonald Links Nevill RUITER (NED) – European Amateur ’26 Top 4

As the 2025 Mark H. McCormack Medal (WAGR #1) winner Jackson KOIVUN (USA) was also exempt but chose to turn pro after the U.S. Open Championship and is therefore now ineligible under this category.

*The Open Championship Amateur Series was introduced by The R&A in 2023. It offers an exemption to the player who gains the most WAGR points in the current year’s St. Andrews Links Trophy, Amateur Championship and European Amateur Championship events (as long as they didn’t win the Amateur or European Amateur Championships which meant they were already exempt).

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Last Chance Qualifier

A 12-man Last Chance Qualifying invitational event, played over 18 holes at Royal Birkdale G.C., started at 7.30am on Monday 13th July 2026.

Matt MOLONEY (USA), Amateur Championship runner-up, Sam EASTERBROOK (ENG), a Final Qualifying play-off loser at West Lancs, and Frazer JONES (ENG), who missed out by 1-shot in the Burnham & Berrow Final Qualifier, secured places in this competition. Jones was a late addition to the line up when Marcus Helligkilde (DEN) withdrew.

ROYAL BIRKDALE, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results
7,223 yards, par 70, course rating 76.5, slope rating 151
12 players / 3 amateurs / 1 qualifying places

Professional Qualifier
1st Joe DEAN (ENG) – 68 (-2)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
4th Sam EASTERBROOK (ENG) – 71 (+1)
T5 Matt MOLONEY (USA) – 72 (+2)
T5 Frazer JONES (ENG) – 71 (+1)

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Final Qualifying

Final Qualifying took place over 36 holes at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire on Tuesday 30th June 2026.

There were 288 players competing, 72 at each site.

A number of amateur and professional players were exempt directly into Final Qualifying based on their past playing achievements. The rest of the field came through Regional Qualifying (see below for more information on these 16 events).

A minimum of 20 spots in The Open, 5 from each site, were offered by The R&A. Any ties for the last qualifying place from each site were broken by a sudden-death play-off.

The R&A broadcast live coverage of Final Qualifying from 4.30pm on its YouTube channel for the first time in 2026.

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All of the amateurs who are contesting Final Qualifying are listed below, along with their routes to this stage and their final results.

BURNHAM & BERROW, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,910 yards, par 71, course rating 74.6, slope rating 129
72 players / 24 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

Burnham & Berrow FQ Results (Graphic: The Open / NTT Data)

Amateur Qualifiers
T3 Alejandro DE CASTRO PIERA (Barcelona, ESP) – WAGR Leading 8 Entries (#78) – 65, 69 (-8)

Professional Qualifiers
1st James NICHOLAS (Old Palm, USA) – 65, 67 (-10)
2nd Caleb SURRATT (Longview, USA) – 67, 66 (-9)
T3 Tom SLOMAN (Taunton & Pickeridge, ENG) – 69, 65 (-8)
T3 Austen TRUSLOW (Pasadena Y&CC, USA) – 66, 68 (-8)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T6 Frazer JONES (Kirby Muxloe, ENG) – The Open Championship ’25 – 67, 68 (-7)
T14 Alex EMMS (The Vale, ENG) – Minchinhampton RQ Res. 17 – 71, 68 (-3)
T14 Ellis BRIGHT (Camberwell Park, ENG) – Minchinhampton RQ – 70, 69 (-3)
T18 Daniel BENNETT (Silver Lakes, RSA) – WAGR Leading 8 Entries (#15) – 72, 68 (-2)
T18 Harley SMITH (Rayleigh Club, ENG) – Moor Park RQ after Play-Off – 71, 69 (-2)
T18 Eliot BAKER (Tiverton, ENG) – St. Andrews Trophy & Walker Cup Team ’25 – 67, 73 (-2)
T28 Ed FEATHERSTONE (Sheringham, ENG) – The Amateur Championship QF ’26 – 72, 70 (Ev)
T33 Josh RUDKIN (Cosby, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ after Play-Off – 74, 69 (+1)
T33 Reggie FEAR (Wentworth, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ – 73, 70 (+1)
T39 Max WEAVER (Bury St. Edmunds, WAL) – Welsh Amateur Champion ’25 – 75, 70 (+3)
T45 Kris KIM (Wentworth, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ Res. 11 – 74, 72 (+4)
T50 Justin CHENU (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham Park RQ – 74, 73 (+5)
T50 Lucas MARTIN (Rotherham, ENG) – Fulford RQ – 74, 73 (+5)
T50 Agustin Segundo OLIVA PINTO (Córdoba, ARG) – WAGR Leading 8 Entries (#59) – 73, 74 (+5)
T50 Henry DALY (Wentworth, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ – 72, 75 (+5)
T50 Charlie PRESTON (Hartley Wintney, ENG) – North Hants RQ – 69, 78 (+5)
58th Darren STRACHAN (Golf de Chantilly, FRA) – Chart Hills RQ Res. 1 after Play-Off – 77, 74 (+9)
T59 Harry DICKINS (High Post, ENG)  Ferndown RQ Res. 26 after Play-Off – 79, 74 (+11)
T59 Joe BUENFELD (Stoneham, ENG) – Ferndown RQ after Play-Off – 82, 71 (+11)
T61 Oliver MARTIN (Sand Martins, ENG) – North Hants RQ – 73, 82 (+13)
T62 Joshua DAVIES (Bramley, ENG) Ferndown RQ – 77, 78 (+13)
64th Tommy OBERGAN (Gerrards Cross, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ – 80, 78 (+16)
65th Tony ADAMS (Princes, ENG) Ferndown RQ Res. 7 after Play-Off – 78, 81 (+17)

DUNDONALD LINKS, SCOTLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,213 yards, par 72, course rating 75.9, slope rating 143
72 players / 17 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

Dundonald Links FQ Results (Graphic: The Open / NTT Data)

Amateur Qualifiers
T2 David HOWARD (Fota Island, IRL) 70 –The Island RQ Res. 5 after Pay-Off – 69, 71 (-4)
T4 Nevill RUITER (NED) – European Amateur ’26 Top 4 – 71, 70 (-3)

Professional Qualifiers
1st Jack MCDONALD (Whitecraigs, SCO) – 70, 69 (-5)
T2 Matthew BALDWIN (Royal Birkdale, ENG) – 69, 71 (-4)
T4 Marcus PLUNKETT (PYCC, USA) – 69, 72 (-3)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T6 Connor GRAHAM (Blairgowrie, SCO) – St. Andrews Trophy & Walker Cup Team ’25 – 70, 72 (-2)
T16 Niall SHEILS DONEGAN (Meadow Club, SCO) – Walker Cup Team ’25 – 71, 74 (+1)
T27 Oliver CAGE (Moortown, ENG) – Fulford RQ – 74, 76 (+6)
T38 Ben LOVEARD (Woburn, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res. 14 after Play-Off – 74, 79 (+9)
T45 Jordan BOLES (Carton House, ENG) – The Island RQ – 78, 77 (+11)
T45 James STEVEN (Kirkhill, SCO) – Craigielaw RQ – 77, 78 (+11)
51st Erik JOHANSSON (Ljunghusen, SWE) – Craigielaw RQ – 78, 79 (+13)
T52 Alex BOYES (Cleveland, ENG) – Fulford RQ Res. 15 – 81, 77 (+14)
T54 Bryan HUGHES (Hesketh, ENG) – Hesketh RQ – 83, 76 (+15)
56th Chris SOMERS (Murcar Links, SCO) – Scottish Amateur Champion ’25 – 75, 85 (+16)
58th Will SWARBRICK (Moortown, ENG) – Fulford RQ – 82, 82 (+20)
59th Jonathan HOBSON (Clandon Regis, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ – 85, 82 (+23)
60th Charlie TOWNSEND (West Byfleet, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ Res. 22 – 85, 89 (+30)
WD Ashley WILLIAMS (Bolton Old Links, ENG) – Caldy RQ – 85, WD (WD )
WD Ryder COWAN (Oak Tree National, USA) – WAGR Leading 8 Entries (#23) – NR, WD (WD)

ROYAL CINQUE PORTS, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,204 yards, par 72, course rating 76.2, slope rating 146
72 players / 17 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

Royal Cinque Ports FQ Results (Graphic: The Open / NTT Data)

Amateur Qualifiers
None

Professional Qualifiers
T1 Baard Bjoernevik SKOGEN (Haugaland, ISL) – 68, 64 (-12)
T1 MJ DAFFUE (Deerwood, RSA) – 67, 65 (-12)
3rd Matthew SOUTHGATE (Thorpe Hall, ENG) – 68, 66 (-10)
4th Peter UIHLEIN (Medalist, USA) – 66, 69 (-9)
5th Antoine ROZNER (RCF La Boule, FRA) – 69, 67 (-8)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T14 Louis KLEIN (Albatross Golf Resort, CHK) – St. Andrews Trophy Team ’25 – 72, 68 (-4)
T21 Laurie OWEN (Letchworth, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ – 70, 73 (-1)
T21 Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO (Retamares, ESP) – WAGR Leading 8 Entries (#61) – 67, 76 (-1)
T30 Aaron MOODY (Burhill, ENG) – North Hants RQ Res. 6 after Play-Off – 73, 72 (+1)
T32 Luke POULTER (Woburn, ENG) – St. Andrews Trophy & Walker Cup Team ’25 – 75, 71 (+2)
T32 Patrick FOLEY (GC Lausanne, SUI) – The Island RQ – 70, 76 (+2)
T46 Luke JENKINS (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) – Chart Hills RQ – 75, 76 (+7)
T46 Sam EPSTEIN (Maylands, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ – 75,  76 (+7)
T51 Jamie SHORT (Oake Manor, ENG) – Minchinhampton RQ Res. 16 after Play-Off – 77, 75 (+8)
T51 Oliver DAWS (Royal St. George’s, ENG) – Chart Hills RQ – 76, 76 (+8)
T51 Josh HUSSEIN (WGC London, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res. 19 after Play-Off – 75, 77 (+8)
T56 Haiden MATOS (Dartford, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham Park RQ – 81, 72 (+9)
T56 Max MOSELEY (Knole Park, ENG) – Chart Hills RQ after a Play-Off – 77, 76 (+9)
T56 Connor O’BRIEN (ENG) – Brocket Hall – Moor Park RQ – 77, 76 (+9)
61st Robbie FLOWER (Royal Winchester, ENG) – North Hants RQ – 74, 81 (+11)
62nd Christian JOHNSON (Formby Hall, ENG) – Hesketh RQ Res. 20 – 81, 77 (+14)
65th Jonah FERNANDES (RCG Guadalmina, ENG) – Moor Park RQ Res. 3 after Play-Off – 86, 86 (+28)

WEST LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,000 yards, par 72, course rating 75.4, slope rating 140
72 players / 16 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

West Lancashire FQ Results (Graphic: The Open / NTT Data)

Amateur Qualifiers
None

Professional Qualifiers
1st Sam BAIRSTOW (Hallowes, ENG) – 66, 68 (-10)
T2 Kazuma KOBORI (Rangiora, NZL) – 70, 65 (-9)
T2 José Luis BALLESTER BARRIO (ESP) – 70, 65 (-9)
T2 Tiger CHRISTENSEN (GER) – 65, 70 (-9)
T5 Matthew JORDAN (Royal Liverpool, ENG) – 69, 67 (-8), after a 3-for-1 Play-Off

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T5 Sam EASTERBROOK (Olton, ENG) – The Amateur Champ. QF ’26 – 69, 67 (-8), after a 3-for-1 Play-Off
T22 Guus LAFEBER (The International, NED) – The Boys’ Amateur Champion ’25 – 70, 71 (-3)
T22 Richard TEDER (Estonian G&CC, EST) – The Open Championship ’25 – 67, 74 (-3)
T25 Abel EDUARD (Kingston Heath, AUS) – Hesketh RQ – 71, 71 (-2)
T30 Emil RIEGGER (Trinifold Sports, GER) – The Amateur Championship QF ’26 – 72, 71 (-1)
T33 Adam BRESNU (RGD Essalem, MOR) – WAGR Leading 8 Entries (#44) – 71, 73 (Ev)
T33 Seb CAVE (ENG) – The Open Championship ’25 – 70, 74 (Ev)
T36 Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (GKG, ISL) – St. Andrews Trophy Team ’25 – 75, 70 (+1)
T36 Liam ABOM (Edmonstown, IRL) – The Island RQ – 73, 72 (+1)
T36 Henry STYLES (Romford, ENG) – English Amateur Champion -25 – 73, 72 (+1)
T44 Andrew HASWELL (ENG) – Ormskirk – Hesketh RQ after Play-Off – 77, 69 (+2)
56th Josh MCASPURN (Crosland Heath, ENG) – Lindrick RQ – 79, 71 (+6)
T57 Joseph DODD-BERRY (Royal Liverpool, ENG) – Caldy RQ – 77, 74 (+7)
T64 Jason RENTON (West Lancashire, ENG) – Caldy RQ after Play-Off – 76, 77 (+9)
T66 Neil WILLIAMS (St. Annes Old Links, SCO) – Hesketh RQ – 82, 72 (+10)
68th Jayden PHIPPS (South Staffordshire, ENG) – Enville RQ after Play-Off – 79, 76 (+11)

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Final Qualifying)

Final Qualifying – Amateur Reserves
Darren STRACHAN (Golf de Chantilly, FRA) – Chart Hills RQ Res. 1 after Play-Off
Jonah FERNANDES (RCG Guadalmina, ENG) – Moor Park RQ Res. 3 after Play-Off
David HOWARD (Fota Island, IRL) 70 –The Island RQ Res. 5 after Pay-Off
Aaron MOODY (Burhill, ENG) – North Hants RQ Res. 6 after Play-Off
Tony ADAMS (Princes, ENG) Ferndown RQ Res. 7 after Play-Off
Kris KIM (Wentworth, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ Res. 11
Ben LOVEARD (Woburn, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res. 14 after Play-Off
Alex BOYES (Cleveland, ENG) – Fulford RQ Res. 15
Jamie SHORT (Oake Manor, ENG) – Minchinhampton RQ Res. 16 after Play-Off
Alex EMMS (The Vale, ENG) – Minchinhampton RQ Res. 17
Josh HUSSEIN (WGC London, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res. 19 after Play-Off
Christian JOHNSON (Formby Hall, ENG) – Hesketh RQ Res. 20
Charlie TOWNSEND (West Byfleet, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ Res. 22
Harry DICKINS (High Post, ENG)  Ferndown RQ Res. 26 after Play-Off
Sam KELLY (The Island, IRL) – The Island RQ Res. 28 after Play-Off
Rio SAIGAL (Moor Park, ENG) – Moor Park RQ Res. 30 after Play-Off
Adam ALLAHBACHANI (Powerscourt, IRL) Craigielaw RQ Res.31
Charles MORGAN (Three Rivers, ENG) – Chart Hills RQ Res. 32 after Play-Off
Marc REID (Craigielaw, SCO) – Craigielaw RQ Res. 34
Oscar MURPHY (Royal Portrush, IRL) – The Island RQ Res. 37 after Play-Off
Ben BUCHANAN (Dunham Forest, ENG) – Caldy RQ Res. 42
Ben WELCH (Woburn, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ Res. 43
Oliver TOYER (St. Neots, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res. 46 after Play-Off
Jack BEAUCHAMP (Trinity Forest, USA) – Fulford RQ Res. 50
Will HAWKSWORTH (Hallamshire, ENG) – Lindrick RQ Res. 53 after Play-Off
Dean LENAHAH (The Wilmslow, ENG) – Caldy RQ Res. 55
Sam BURTON (Tytherington Club, ENG) – Enville RQ Res. 57
Lewis WRIGHT (Chelmsford, ENG) – Moor Park RQ Res. 67
Sam DE’ATH (North Hants, ENG) – North Hants RQ Res. 70
Tom WOODS (Bromborough, ENG) – Caldy RQ Res. 74

Final Qualifying – Amateurs Who Have Not Taken Up Their Exemptions
Kihei AKINA (USA) – The Amateur Championship QF ’26
Reed ARNALDO (USA) – The Amateur Championship QF ’26
Alfons BONDESSON (SWE) – St. Andrews Trophy Team ’25
Arthur CARLIER (FRA) – European Amateur ’26 Top 4
JL Dewan DE BRUIN (RSA) – African Amateur Championship Runner-Up ’26
Ethan FANG (USA) – Walker Cup Team ’25
Riccardo FANTINELLI (ITA) – European Amateur ’26 Top 4
Stewart HAGESTAD (USA) – Walker Cup Team ’25
Jackson HERRINGTON (USA) – U.S. Amateur ’25 Runner-Up
Mason HOWELL (USA) – Walker Cup Team ’25
Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) – St. Andrews Trophy Team ’25
Jacob MODLESKI (USA) – Walker Cup Team ’25
Taisei NAGASAKI (JAP) – Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship Runner-Up ’25
Virgilio PAZ VALDES (VEN) – Latin America Amateur Championship Runner-Up ’26
Preston STOUT (USA) – Walker Cup Team ’25
Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) – St. Andrews Trophy Team ’25 – Won European Amateur ’26 To Qualify

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Regional Qualifying

Regional Qualifying took place over 18 holes at 16 venues across Great Britain and Ireland on Monday 22nd June 2026.

Any professional or amateur with a handicap index no higher than 0.4 (scratch) or a WAGR listing of 1st-2,000th during 2024-25 could enter Regional Qualifying subject to paying the £200 entry fee.

The number of qualifying spots from each venue were allocated once all players had teed off. Each site normally receives between 7 and 10 of these depending on its field size. This year 12 venues received 8 places and four received 7 spots.

Reserve places are also allocated and a great many of these are normally called up to Final Qualifying.

2,073 players, with 987 of these being amateurs, teed it up in Regional Qualifying in 2026.

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Here is a summary of the 16 Regional Qualifying events with links to their results.

The leading amateur performances and those who qualified will be shown below. Many of the Reserves will also find their way into Final Qualifying as the events draw nearer.

BEARWOOD LAKES, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,846 yards, par 72, course rating 74.0, slope rating 145
131 players / 61 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Henry DALY (ENG) – Wentworth 68 -4 QUALIFIED
T1 Reggie FEAR (ENG) – Wentworth 68 -4 QUALIFIED
T4 Tommy OBERGAN (ENG) – Gerrards Cross 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T6 Jonathan HOBSON (ENG) – Clandon Regis 70 -2 QUALIFIED
T9 Kris KIM (ENG) – Wentworth 71 -1 Reserve 11
T9 Charlie TOWNSEND (ENG) – West Byfleet 71 -1 Reserve 22
T9 Ben WELCH (ENG) – Woburn 71 -1 Reserve 43
T17 Calum MILLER (SCO) – Bedgemore Park 72 Ev
T17 Edward DAVIS (ENG) – Studley Wood 72 Ev
T17 Jack SMALL (IRL) – Bearwood Lakes 72 Ev
T17 Ashton GREEN (ENG) – Bearwood Lakes 72 Ev

CALDY, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,740 yards, par 72, course rating 73.3, slope rating 134
131 players / 77 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T3 Ashley WILLIAMS (ENG) – Bolton Old Links 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T3 Joseph DODD-BERRY (ENG) – Royal Liverpool 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T8 Jason RENTON (ENG) – West Lancashire 71 -1 QUALIFIED after a 3-for-1 Play-Off
T11 Ben BUCHANAN (ENG) – Dunham Forest 72 Ev Reserve 42
T11 Dean LENAHAH (ENG) – The Wilmslow 72 Ev Reserve 55
T11 Tom WOODS (ENG) – Bromborough 72 Ev Reserve 74
T15 Sam PRINCE (ENG) – Ringway 73 +1
T15 Edward REED (ENG) – Royal Birkdale 73 +1
T15 Owen LEIGH (ENG) – Pleasington 73 +1
T15 David RAMSAY (ENG) – Eaton 73 +1
T15 Harry HOLLAND (ENG) – Southport & Ainsdale 73+1
T15 Lucas KUIPER (ENG) – Southport & Ainsdale 73 +1
T15 George HOLLAND (ENG) – Southport & Ainsdale 73+1

CHART HILLS, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,939 yards, par 72, course rating 75.5, slope rating 149
127 players / 75 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T3 Oliver DAWS (ENG) – Royal St. George’s 68 -4 QUALIFIED
T3 Luke JENKINS (ENG) – Rochester & Cobham 68 -4 QUALIFIED
T7 Darren STRACHAN (FRA) – Golf de Chantilly 69 -3 Reserve 1 after a 5-for-1 Play-Off
T7 Charles MORGAN (ENG) – Three Rivers 69 -3 Reserve 32 after a 5-for-1 Play-Off
T7 Ethan ROOS (ENG) – Thornton Park 69 -3 Reserve 33 after a 5-for-1 Play-Off
T7 Max MOSELEY (ENG) – Knole Park 69 -3 QUALIFIED after a 5-for-1 Play-Off
T12 Conor BYERS (ENG) – Langley Park 70 -2
T12 Josh MCCARTAIN (ENG) – Golf at Goodward 70 -2
T12 Andres ASIN GARCIA (ESP) – La Peñaza 70 -2
T12 George HARRIS-ANDREWS (ENG) – The London Club 70 -2
T12 Buster O’CALLAGHAN (ENG) – Walton Heath 70 -2

CRAIGIELAW, SCOTLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,556 yards, par 71, course rating 72.3, slope rating 128
128 players / 66 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T2 Erik JOHANSSON (SWE) – Ljunghusen 64 -7 QUALIFIED
T2 James STEVEN (SCO) – Kirkhill 64 -7 QUALIFIED
T9 Adam ALLAHBACHANI (IRL) – Powerscourt 66 -5 Reserve 31
T9 Marc REID (SCO) – Craigielaw 66 -5 Reserve 34
T13 Ollie MUKHERJEE (SCO) – Craigielaw 67 -4
T13 Sam MUKHERJEE (SCO) – Craigielaw 67 -4
T17 Cameron MUKHERJEE (SCO) – Craigielaw 68 -3

ENVILLE (HIGHGATE), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,645 yards, par 72, course rating 73.6, slope rating 139
133 players / 58 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T5 Jayden PHIPPS (ENG) – The South Staffordshire 68 -4 QUALIFIED after a 5-for-4 Play-Off
T10 Sam BURTON (ENG) – The Tytherington Club 69 -3 Reserve 57
T16 Oliver SCRIVEN (ENG) – Pearl Valley 71 -1
T16 Lewin AUCIELLO (ENG) – Burghley Park 71 -1
T16 Rory MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG) – Burghley Park 71 -1
T16 Louis SANDERS (ENG) – Olton 71 -1
T16 Philipp KRONE (ENG) – Moseley 71 -1

FERNDOWN (OLD), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,516 yards, par 71, course rating 72.2, slope rating 130
133 players / 66 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T3 Joshua DAVIES (ENG) – Bramley 68 -3 QUALIFIED
T7 Joe BUENFELD (ENG) – Stoneham 69 -2 QUALIFIED after a 6-for-2 Play-Off
T7 Tony ADAMS (ENG) – Princes 69 -2 Reserve 7 after a 6-for-2 Play-Off
T7 Harry DICKINS (ENG) – High Post 69 -2 Reserve 26 after a 6-for-2 Play-Off
T13 Luke METCALF (ENG) – Tandridge 70 -1
T21 Jamie ROBERTS (ENG) – The London Club 71 Ev
T21 Tom CHALK (ENG) – Stoneham 71 Ev
T21 Steve MITCHELL (ENG) – Cowdray 71 Ev
T21 Warren CLARKE (ENG) – Knebworth 71 Ev

FULFORD, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,811 yards, par 72, course rating 74.0, slope rating 144
128 players / 63 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1st Oliver CAGE (ENG) – Moortown 67 -5 QUALIFIED
T2 Will SWARBRICK (ENG) – Moortown 68 -4 QUALIFIED
T2 Lucas MARTIN (ENG) – Rotherham 68 -4 QUALIFIED
T9 Alex BOYES (ENG) – Cleveland 69 -3 Reserve 15
T11 Jack BEAUCHAMP (USA) – Trinity Forest 70 -2 Reserve 50
T11 George DAVIES (ENG) – Harrogate 70 -2
T11 Damon COULSON (ENG) – Fulford 70 -2
T11 Harry RICHMOND (ENG) – Ilkley 70 -2

GOG MAGOG (OLD), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,392 yards, par 70, course rating 71.4, slope rating 121
129 players / 58 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T3 Laurie OWEN (ENG) – Letchworth 66 -4 QUALIFIED
T6 Sam EPSTEIN (ENG) – Maylands 67 -3 QUALIFIED
T8 Ben LOVEARD (ENG) – Woburn 68 -2 Reserve 14 after a 10-for-1 Play-Off
T8 Josh RUDKIN (ENG) – Cosby 68 -2 QUALIFIED after a 10-for-1 Play-Off
T8 Josh HUSSEIN (ENG) – WGC London 68 -2 Reserve 19 after a 10-for-1 Play-Off
T8 Oliver TOYER (ENG) – St. Neots 68 -2 Reserve 46 after a 10-for-1 Play-Off
T18 Theo BAKER (ENG) – Colchester 69 -1
T18 Max HOPKINS (ENG) – Bishops Stortford 69 -1
T18 Max SAUNDERS (ENG) – Walton Heath 69 -1

HESKETH, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,595 yards, par 71, course rating 73.4 , slope rating 134
129 players / 70 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Abel EDUARD (AUS) – Kingston Heath 68 -3 QUALIFIED
T3 Neil WILLIAMS (SCO) – St. Annes Old Links 69 -2 QUALIFIED
T3 Bryan HUGHES (ENG) – Hesketh 69 -2 QUALIFIED
T6 Andrew HASWELL (ENG) – Ormskirk  70 -1 QUALIFIED after a 4-for-3 Play-Off
T10 Christian JOHNSON (ENG) – Formby Hall 71 Ev Reserve 20

KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE), SCOTLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,847 yards, par 71, course rating 74.8, slope rating 138
120 players / 53 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T15 Rhys MCILROY (SCO) – Elderslie 71 -1
T15 George WILLIAMSON (USA) – Turf Valley Resort 71 -1
T15 Callum MACAULAY (SCO) – Tulliallan 71 -1
T15 Will COXON (ENG) – Carus Green 71 -1

LINDRICK, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,725 yards, par 70, course rating 73.6, slope rating 128
129 players / 61 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T4 Josh MCASPURN (ENG) – Crosland Heath 68 -2 QUALIFIED
T8 Will HAWKSWORTH (ENG) – Hallamshire 70 Ev Reserve 53 after a 6-for-1 Play-Off
T14 Brandon PERRY (ENG) – Rotherham 71 +1
T14 Nathan GARRATT (ENG) – Kirby Muxloe 71 +1
T14 Nyle CHALLINOR (ENG) – Sitwell Park 71 +1
T14 Maxwell BERRISFORD (ENG) – Ilkley 71 +1

MINCHINHAMPTON, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,691 yards, par 72, course rating 73.6, slope rating 130
131 players / 59 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Ellis BRIGHT (ENG) – Camberwell Park 68 -4 QUALIFIED
T5 Jamie SHORT (ENG) – Oake Manor 69 -3 Reserve 16 after a 5-for-4 Play-Off
T10 Alex EMMS (ENG) – The Vale 70 -2 Reserve 17
T10 Milan REED (ENG) – Long Ashton 70 -2
T10 Jack DART (ENG) – Churston 70 -2
T17 Calum FITZGERALD (ENG) – Bowood Hotel 71 -1
T17 Tom HOWELLS (ENG) – The Worcestershire 71 -1
T17 Ashley MILLINGTON (ENG) – The Players Club 71 -1
T17 Jordan STANDING (WAL) – Cottrell Park 71 -1

MOOR PARK (HIGH), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,795 yards, par 72, course rating 73.8, slope rating 141
123 players / 45 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1st Connor O’BRIEN (ENG) – Brocket Hall 67 -5 QUALIFIED
T6 Jonah FERNANDES (ENG) – Real Club de Golf Guadalmina 69 -3 Reserve 3 after a 4-for-2 Play-Off
T6 Rio SAIGAL (ENG) – Moor Park 69 -3 Reserve 30 after a 4-for-2 Play-Off
T6 Harley SMITH (ENG) – The Rayleigh Club 69 -3 QUALIFIED after a 4-for-2 Play-Off
T10 Lewis WRIGHT (ENG) – Chelmsford 70 -2 Reserve 67

NORTH HANTS, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,607 yards, par 70, course rating 71.4, slope rating 122
134 players / 56 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1st Robbie FLOWER (ENG) – Royal Winchester 65 -5 QUALIFIED
T3 Oliver MARTIN (ENG) – Sand Martins 67 -3 QUALIFIED
T3 Charlie PRESTON (ENG) – Hartley Wintney 67 -3 QUALIFIED
T7 Aaron MOODY (ENG) – Burhill 69 -1 Reserve 6 after a 6-for-2 Play-Off
T13 Sam DE’ATH (ENG) – North Hants 70 Ev Reserve 70
T13 Freddie TURNELL (ENG) – Burnham & Berrow 70 Ev
T13 Tommy EVANS (ENG) – Beaconsfield 70 Ev

ROCHESTER & COBHAM PARK, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,586 yards, par 71, course rating 73.3, slope rating 134
131 players / 60 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Haiden MATOS (ENG) – Dartford 67 -4 QUALIFIED
T6 Justin CHENU (ENG) – Rochester & Cobham Park 69 -2 QUALIFIED
T12 Callum RANA (ENG) – Eaton 71 Ev

THE ISLAND, IRELAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,154 yards, par 72, course rating 74.2 , slope rating 131
136 players / 59 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Liam ABOM (IRL) – Edmonstown 64 -8 QUALIFIED
T3 Patrick FOLEY (SUI) – Golf Club de Lausanne 68 -4 QUALIFIED
T6 Jordan BOLES (ENG) – Carton House 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T8 David HOWARD (IRL) – Fota Island 70 -2 Reserve 5 after a 8-for-1 Play-Off
T8 Sam KELLY (IRL) – The Island 70 -2 Reserve 28 after a 8-for-1 Play-Off
T8 Oscar MURPHY (IRL) – Royal Portrush 70 -2 Reserve 37 after a 8-for-1 Play-Off
T8 Mark GAZI (IRL) – Tralee 70 -2
T16 William O’RIORDAN (IRL) – Greystones 71 -1

Notes
a) Ties for the last qualifying place(s) were resolved by sudden death play-off at each site.
b) Irrespective of any play-off results reserve places at each site were allocated by card count back (CB) – back 9 or 6 or 3 or 1 hole – based on each player’s 18 hole score.

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Regional Qualifying)

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Low Amateur Silver Medal

The Silver Medal is awarded to the leading amateur in The Open Championship who completes 72 holes. Bronze Medals are awarded to all other amateurs who complete 72 holes.

For more information on this prize please take a look at this article – The Open Championship’s Silver Medal.

More Championship Information

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2026, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Open Championship – 2025 Regional & Final Qualifying

Posted on by

Last Updated 1st July

This article focuses on Regional and Final Qualifying for the 2025 Open Championship and in particular the performances of the amateur golfers seeking to earn a spot in the Championship.

Amateur Qualifiers

Following the four Final Qualifying events a total of 9 amateurs have qualified for The 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush G.C.: –

2025 Latin America Amateur Champion – Justin HASTINGS (CAY)
2025 African Amateur Champion – Bryan NEWMAN (RSA)
2025 Amateur Champion – Ethan FANG (USA)
2025 European Amateur Champion – Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH)
2025 Open Amateur Series Winner – Cameron ADAM (SCO)
Lindrick RQ / Burnham & Berrow FQ – Frazer JONES (ENG)
Dundonald Links FQ – Connor GRAHAM (SCO)
Royal Cinque Ports FQ – Seb CAVE (ENG)
West Lancashire FQ – Richard TEDER (EST)

Last year 5 amateurs came through Final Qualifying to take the total number of amateurs who competed at Royal Troon up to 12.

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Introduction

156 players will contest the 153rd Open Championship which will be played at Royal Portrush G.C. on 17-20 July 2025.

The majority of the field will be made up of exempt players; recent major champions, winners of professional events and leading players in the world rankings.

The remaining players have had to qualify either via The Open Qualifying Series or Regional and Final Qualifying.

24 places have been allocated to The Open Qualifying Series. The leading 1-3 players, not already exempt, at 11 professional tour events in 10 countries played in 2025 have earned these spots.

20 spaces were given over to Final Qualifying. Regional Qualifying was played on Monday 23rd June 2025 and Final Qualifying took place on Tuesday 1st July 2025. Players in Regional Qualifying were playing for the opportunity to take part in Final Qualifying which presents their final gateway in to The Open.

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Final Qualifying

Final Qualifying took place over 36 holes at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire on 1st July 2025.

There were 288 players competing, 72 at each site.

A number of amateur and professional players were exempt directly into Final Qualifying based on their past playing achievements. The rest of the field came through Regional Qualifying (see below for more information on these 15 events).

A minimum of 20 spots in The Open, 5 from each site, were offered by The R&A. Any ties for the last qualifying place in each event were broken by a sudden-death play-off.

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87 amateur competitors contested Final Qualifying. Their routes to this stage and results are shown below.

BURNHAM & BERROW, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,980 yards, par 71, course rating 74.6, slope rating 129
72 players / 19 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

Burnham & Berrow Final Qualifying – Top 10 (Graphic: The R&A)

Amateur Qualifiers
4th Frazer JONES (Kirby Muxloe, ENG) – Lindrick RQ – 69, 66 (-7)

Professional Qualifiers
1st Justin WALTERS (Birdies 4 Rhinos, RSA) – 65, 68 (-9)
T2 Harry HALL (West Cornwall, ENG) – 67, 67 (-8)
T2 Jakob SKÖV OLESEN (Naestved, DEN) – 65, 69 (-8)
5th OJ FARRELL (Worcester, ENG) – 68, 68 (-6)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T7 Will TATE (The Caversham, ENG) – Frilford Heath RQ – 68, 70 (-4)
T21 Freddie TURNELL (Burnham & Berrow, ENG) – North Hants RQ – 73, 70 (+1)
T25 Ed FEATHERSTONE (Sheringham, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ – 71, 73 (+2)
T30 Matteo CRISTONI (ITA) – European Amateur ’25 Top 4 (T4) – 72, 73 (+3)
T30 Dominic CLEMONS (Gog Magog, ENG) – Royal Troon ’24 & St. Andrews Trophy ’24 – 72, 73 (+3)
T38 Levi DESMOND (ENG) – Lindrick RQ Res. 36 – 71, 75 (+4)
T45 James ILSLEY (Enville, ENG) – Enville RQ – 72, 75 (+5)
T45 Reggie FEAR (Wentworth, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ – 71, 76 (+5)
T45 Charlie PRESTON (Hartley Wintney, ENG) – North Hants RQ – 71, 76 (+5)
T45 Charlie BOX (Kirby Muxloe, ENG) – Fulford RQ – 70, 77 (+5)
T52 Ian FRITZ (Unattached, USA) – Bearwood Lakes RQ – 74, 74 (+6)
T54 Max WEAVER (Bury St. Edmunds, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ – 78, 71 (+7)
T56 Luke JENKINS (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham RQ Res 15 – 78, 72 (+8)
T56 Joshua MILLINGTON (The Players Club, ENG) – North Hants RQ – 75, 75 (+8)
T61 Jake PLUMB (Gog Magog, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res 9 – 77, 75 (+10)
T61 Charlie FORSTER (Basingstoke, ENG) – St. Andrews Trophy ’24 – 72, 80 (+10)
64th Jamie DEAN (Carmarthen, WAL) – Welsh Amateur Champion ’24 – 73, 80 (+11)
T70 Harry RICHARDSON (Frilford Heath, ENG) – Frilford Heath RQ – 79, 81 (+18)

DUNDONALD LINKS, SCOTLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,269 yards, par 72, course rating 76.3, slope rating 138
72 players / 17 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

Dundonald Links Final Qualifying – Top 10 (Graphic: The R&A)

Amateur Qualifiers
T5 Connor GRAHAM (Blairgowrie, SCO) – St. Andrews Trophy ’24 – 71, 69 (-4) after a 2-for-1 Play-Off

Professional Qualifiers
1st Lee WESTWOOD (Unattached, ENG) – 70, 67 (-7)
T2 Daniel YOUNG (Kingsbarns, SCO) – 71, 67 (-6)
T2 Angel HILDALGO (RCG Las Brisas, ESP) – 71, 67 (-6)
4th Jesper SANDBORG (Landeryds, SWE) – 68, 71 (-5)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T7 Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (Meadow Club USA, SCO) – WAGR Top 200 – 70, 71 (-3)
T7 Kristian BRESSUM (DEN) – European Amateur ’25 Top 4 (2nd) – 69, 72 (-3)
T19 Archie FINNIE (Royal Burgess, ENG) – Craigielaw RQ – 73, 71 (Ev)
T26 Sam NUTTALL (Lees Hall, ENG) – Lindrick RQ Res 6 – 75, 71 (+2)
T26 Gavin TIERNAN (County Louth, IRL) – Amateur Championship QF ’25 – 72, 74 (+2)
T29 Jack MCDONALD (Schloss Roxburghe, SCO) – Craigielaw RQ – 74, 73 (+3)
T33 Caolan RAFFERTY (Dundalk, IRL) – St. Andrews Trophy ’24 – 73, 75 (+4)
T40 Oliver SMITH (Quinta do Lago POR, ENG) – Moor Park RQ Res 14 – 71, 78 (+5)
T51 Oliver MUKHERJEE (Gullane, SCO) – Craigielaw RQ – 77, 75 (+8)
T51 Alexander FARMER (Kimacolm, SCO) – Scottish Men’s Amateur ’24 – 73, 79 (+8)
57th Harvey MCDONALD (Loudon, SCO) – Kilmarnock RQ Res 1 – 79, 76 (+11)
58th Finley EAGER (Royal Belfast, IRL) – The Island RQ – 80, 76 (+12)
T59 Lewis GURR (Copthorne, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham RQ Res 16 – 77, 80 (+13)
T61 Rohan NEAT (Ely City, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res 39 – 78, 80 (+14)
T64 James DONALDSON (Stirling, SCO) – Kilmarnock RQ – 79, 81 (+16)
68th Euan MACDONALD (Murcar Links, SCO) – Craigielaw RQ – 85, 89 (+30)

[Cameron ADAM (Royal Burgess, SCO) – WAGR Top 200 WD – The Open Amateur Series winner]

ROYAL CINQUE PORTS, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,229 yards, par 72, course rating 76.2, slope rating 146
72 players / 28 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

Royal Cinque Ports Final Qualifying – Top 10 (Graphic: The R&A)

Amateur Qualifiers
4th Seb CAVE (Coxmoor, ENG) – St. Andrews Trophy ’24 – 67, 72 (-5)

Professional Qualifiers
1st Dean BURMESTER (Stinger, RSA) – 70, 64 (-10)
T2 Nathan KIMSEY (Stoneham, ENG) – 69, 69 (-6)
T2 Curtis KNIPES (Hanbury Manor, ENG) – 69, 69 (-6)
5th John AXELSEN (Smørum, DEN) – 70, 70

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T6 Tyler WEAVER (Bury St. Edmunds, ENG) – WAGR Top 200 – 69, 72 (-3)
T13 Luke POULTER (Woburn, ENG) – WAGR Top 200 – 67, 76 (-1)
T18 Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON (GKG, ICE) – WAGR Top 200 – 70, 74 (Ev)
T21 Max HOPKINS (Bishops Stortford, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ – 73, 72 (+1)
T21 Joe BUENFELD (Stoneham, ENG) – Ferndown RQ Res 11 – 73, 72 (+1)
T24 Sakke SILTALA (FIN) – European Amateur ’25 Top 4 (3rd) – 75, 71 (+2)
T24 Ville VIRKKALA (Espoo, FIN) – Moor Park RQ – 69, 77 (+2)
28th Luke STOCK (Walton Heath, ENG) – North Hants RQ Res 21 – 75, 72 (+3)
T29 Kris KIM (Wentworth, ENG) – Bearwood Lakes RQ – 76, 72 (+4)
T33 Riccardo FANTINELLI (Fioranello, ITA) – Amateur Championship QF ’25 – 76, 73 (+5)
T33 Sam POTTER (Kedleston Park, ENG) – Lindrick RQ – 75, 74 (+5)
T33 Harley SMITH (ENG) – English Men’s Amateur ’24 – 72, 77 (+5)
T36 Josh MCCARTAIN (Goodwood, ENG) – North Hants RQ – 74, 76 (+6)
T36 Jack LEE (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham RQ – 73, 77 (+6)
T36 Oliver LEWIS-PERKINS (Mid Kent, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham RQ – 71, 79 (+6)
T40 Callixte ALZAS (Golf de St. Cloud, FRA) – Amateur Championship QF ’25 – 74, 77 (+7)
T43 Luke SAMPLE (Unattached, USA) – WAGR Top 200 – 75, 78 (+9)
T43 Timmy MONCUR (West Essex, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ – 74, 79 (+9)
T48 Matthis LEFEVRE (Golf d’Hossegor, FRA) – Amateur Championship QF ’25 – 76, 78 (+10)
T52 Joel TARRY (Cotswold Hills, ENG) – Enville RQ – 77, 78 (+11)
T55 Robert WHEELER (North Hants, ENG) – North Hants RQ – 79, 77 (+12)
T55 Jack HEASMAN (ENG) – West Essex 73 +1 Bearwood Lakes RQ – 76, 80 (+12)
T58 Raúl GÓMEZ (Benidorm ESP, USA) – Rochester & Cobham RQ – 79, 79 (+14)
T58 Carl BURROWS (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham RQ – 76, 82 (+14)
T60 Jack PETERS (Northamptonshire County, ENG) – Fulford RQ – 76, 83 (+15) 
T60 Charlie TOWNSEND (West Byfleet, ENG) – West Byfleet RQ – 75, 84 (+15)
T63 Chris THOMAS (Hankley Common, ENG) – North Hants RQ Res 10 – 79, 83 (+18)

[Filip JACUBČÍK (Brno, CZH) – St. Andrews Trophy ’24 WD – European Amateur Champion]

WEST LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,973 yards, par 72, course rating 75.4, slope rating 140
72 players / 23 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

West Lancashire Final Qualifying – Top 10 (Graphic: The R&A)

Amateur Qualifiers
T4 Richard TEDER (Estonian G&CC, EST) – St. Andrews Trophy ’24 & Amateur QF ’25 – 70, 69 (-5) after a 4-for-2 play-off

Professional Qualifiers
1st Lucas HERBERT (Commonwealth, AUS) – 69, 67 (-8)
2nd Sampson ZHENG (Unattached, CHN) – 68, 69 (-7)
3rd George BLOOR (Cavendish, ENG) – 69, 69 (-6)
T4 Oliver LINDELL (Virvik Golf, FIN) – 67, 72 (-5) after a 4-for-2 play-off

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T17 Caolan BURFORD (Rhuddlan, WAL) – Caldy RQ -71, 70 (-3)
T17 Tommy MORRISON (Univ. of Texas, USA) – European Amateur ’24 & Royal Troon ’24 – 70, 71 (-3)
T17 Thomas ABOM (Edmondstown, IRL) – Irish Men’s Amateur ’24 -69, 72 (-3)
T17 Billy DOWLING (The Brisbane, AUS) – Amateur Championship QF ’25 – 67, 74 (-3)
T29 Jack BIGHAM (Harpenden, ENG) – St. Andrews Trophy ’24 – 70, 73 (-1) 
T29 Tom HUGHES (Formby, ENG) – Hesketh RQ – 69, 74 (-1)
T35 Greg HOLMES (Royal Birkdale, ENG) – Hesketh RQ – 74, 70 (Ev)
T38 Jamie VAN WYK (Royal Lytham & St. Annes, ENG) – Hesketh RQ – 70, 75 (+1)
T43 George HOLLAND (Southport & Aisdale, ENG) – Caldy RQ – 73, 73 (+2)
T47 Matthew LEVER (The National AUS, ENG) – Hesketh RQ – 72, 76 (+4)
T49 Jon BEESLEY (The Mere, ENG) – Caldy RQ – 74, 75 (+5) 
T53 Max RANSON (Dunham Forest, ENG) – Caldy RQ – 75, 76 (+7)
T53 Tom MATTHEWS (Oswestry, WAL) – Caldy RQ – 72, 79 (+7)
T57 Max SCHLIESING (Links Leuk GR, SUI) – WAGR Top 200 – 79, 73 (+8)
T57 Habib KHAN (Huddersfield, ENG) – Fulford RQ – 79, 73 (+8)
T59 Huey CUNNINGHAM (Ilkley, ENG) – Fulford RQ – 77, 76 (+9)
T59 Joe EMERY (Harwood, ENG) – Hesketh RQ – 77, 76 (+9)
61st Cameron WALKER (Caldy, ENG) – Caldy RQ – 74, 80 (+10) 
63rd Ashley MANSELL (Normanton, ENG) – Fulford RQ – 80, 76 (+12)
T64 Freddie DANCOX (Ramsay, ENG) – Hesketh RQ Res 19 – 83, 74 (+13)
66th Luke BLOCKSIDGE (Shifnal, ENG) – Enville RQ – 83, 80 (+19)
67th Sam JOHNSTON (Caldy, ENG) – Caldy RQ – 90, 82 (+28)

After Regional Qualifying the following amateurs held reserve status. 13 of them, down to Reserve #39,   were subsequently called up as withdrawals from the original Final Qualifying fields occurred.

Amateur Reserves
Harvey MCDONALD (Loudon, SCO) – Kilmarnock RQ Res 1 – QUALIFIED
Oscar MURPHY (Royal Portrush, IRL) – The Island RQ Res 5 – QUALIFIED WD Dundonald
Sam NUTTALL (Lees Hall, ENG) – Lindrick RQ Res 6 – QUALIFIED
Jake PLUMB (Gog Magog, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res 9 – QUALIFIED
Chris THOMAS (Hankley Common, ENG) – North Hants RQ Res 10 – QUALIFIED
Joe BUENFELD (Stoneham, ENG) – Ferndown RQ Res 11 – QUALIFIED
Oliver SMITH (Quinta do Lago POR, ENG) – Moor Park RQ Res 14 – QUALIFIED
Luke JENKINS (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham RQ Res 15 – QUALIFIED
LEWIS GURR (Copthorne, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham RQ Res 16 – QUALIFIED
Freddie DANCOX (Ramsay, ENG) – Hesketh RQ Res 19 – QUALIFIED
Luke STOCK (Walton Heath, ENG) – North Hants RQ Res 21 – QUALIFIED
Levi DESMOND (ENG) – Lindrick RQ Res. 36 – QUALIFIED
Rohan NEAT (Ely City, ENG) – Gog Magog RQ Res 39 – QUALIFIED
Sam RUSSELL (Royal Eastbourne, ENG) – Moor Park RQ Res 47
Jack MAXEY (Hornsea, ENG) – Fulford RQ Res 48
Daniel ROBERTS (The London Club, ENG) – Ferndown RQ Res 50
David KALLSTROM (Saltsjobaden, SWE) – Gog Magog RQ Res 52
Mark GAZI (Tralee, IRL) – The Island RQ Res 56
Mike DOWNEY (Cotswold Hills, ENG) – Enville RQ Res 57
Dean ROBERTS (Royal Liverpool, ENG) – Caldy RQ Res 58
Farris HASSAN (St. Andrews, SCO) – Kilmarnock RQ Res 61
Thomas SCULLION (Upavon, ENG) – Frilford Heath RQ Res 67
Ellis BRIGHT (Cumberwell Park,ENG) Ferndown RQ Res 71
Lucas DENNISON (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) – Rochester & Cobham RQ Res 76
Lee WILLIAMS (Fairhaven, ENG) – Hesketh RQ Res 79 CB
Jamie ROBERTS (The London Club, ENG) – Ferndown RQ Res 80
Max BERRISFORD (Ilkley, ENG) – The Island RQ Res 86

A number of amateurs chose not to take up their exemptions into Final Qualifying or withdrew before play started.

Amateur’s Who Have Not Taken Up Their Final Qualifying Exemptions
Matty DODD-BERRY (ENG) – Royal Troon ’24
Wilfred GLAWE (GER) – European Amateur ’25 Top 4 (T4)
Stewart HAGESTAD (Deepdale, USA) – WAGR Top 200 WD Dundonald
Noah KENT (USA) – U.S. Amateur ’24
Jaime MONTOJO FERNÁNDEZ (ESP) – Royal Troon ’24
Viggo OLSSON MÕRK (Österlen, SWE) – Boys’ Amateur ’24 WD West Lancs
Keegan SHUTT (ZIM) – Africa Amateur ’25
Patrick SPARKS (PER) – Latin America Amateur ’25
Tim WIEDEMEYER (St. Leon-Rot, GER) – St. Andrews Trophy ’24
Veikka VISKARI (FIN) – Amateur Championship ’25
Ziqin ZHOU (CHN) – Asia-Pacific Amateur ’24

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Final Qualifying)

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2025 Amateur Exemptions

Prior to Final Qualifying five amateurs had earned exemptions into this year’s Open Championship through their recent performances: –

2025 Latin America Amateur Champion – Justin HASTINGS (CAY)
2025 African Amateur Champion – Bryan NEWMAN (RSA)
2025 Amateur Champion – Ethan FANG (USA)
2025 European Amateur Champion – Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH)
2025 Open Amateur Series Winner* – Cameron ADAM (SCO)

*The Open Championship Amateur Series was introduced by The R&A in 2023. It offers an exemption to the player who gains the most WAGR points in the St. Andrews Links Trophy, the Amateur Championship and the European Amateur Championship events (as long as they didn’t win the Amateur or European Amateur Championships which meant they were already exempt).

Filip Jakubčík (Photo: European Golf Association)

Cameron Adam (Photo: Adam Family)

Three players gave up their exemptions by turning pro in 2024-25:-

2024 Mark H. McCormack Medal Winner – Luke CLANTON (USA)
2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion – Wenyi DING (CHN)
2024 U.S. Amateur Champion – Jose BALLESTER (ESP)

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Regional Qualifying

Regional Qualifying took place over 18 holes at 15 venues across Great Britain and Ireland on 23rd June 2025.

Any professional or amateur with a handicap index no higher than 0.4 (scratch) or a WAGR listing of 1st-2,000th during 2024-25 could enter Regional Qualifying subject to paying the £200 entry fee.

A total of 131 qualifying spots were allocated to the competition with each site receiving between 7 and 10 of these depending on its field size.

1,869 players teed it up in Regional Qualifying with over 840 of these being amateurs.

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Here is a summary of the 15 Regional Qualifying events with links to their results.

The leading amateur performances and those who qualified are shown below. A number of Reserves will also find their way into Final Qualifying as the events draw nearer.

BEARWOOD LAKES, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,859 yards, par 72, course rating 74.0, slope rating 140
127 players / 66 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T4 Ian FRITZ (USA) – Unattached 71 -1 QUALIFIED
T6 Reggie FEAR (ENG) – Wentworth 72 Ev QUALIFIED
T8 Jack HEASMAN (ENG) – West Essex 73 +1 QUALIFIED after a 7-for-2 play-off
T8 Charlie TOWNSEND (ENG) – West Byfleet 73 +1 QUALIFIED after a 7-for-2 play-off
T8 Kris KIM (ENG) – Wentworth 73 +1 QUALIFIED after a 7-for-2 play-off
T8 Jack HEASMAN (ENG) – West Essex 73 +1 Res 8 CB
T8 Adan YATES (ENG) – Parkstone 73 +1 Res 53 CB
T15 Henry DALY (ENG) – Wentworth 74 +2

CALDY, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,765 yards, par 72, course rating 73.3, slope rating 134
130 players / 76 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Cameron WALKER (ENG) – Caldy 71 -1 QUALIFIED
T3 Jon BEESLEY (ENG) – The Mere 72 Ev QUALIFIED
T3 Max RANSON (ENG) – Dunham Forest 72 Ev QUALIFIED
T6 George HOLLAND (ENG) – Southport & Ainsdale 73 +1 QUALIFIED
T6 Caolan BURFORD (WAL) – Rhuddlan 73 +1 QUALIFIED
T8 Sam JOHNSTON (ENG) – Caldy 74 +2 QUALIFIED after a 5-for 2 play-off
T8 Tom MATTHEWS (WAL) – Oswestry 74 +2 QUALIFIED after a 5-for 2 play-off
T13 Dean ROBERTS (ENG) – Royal Liverpool 75 +3 Res 58 CB
T19 Sam PRINCE (ENG) – Ringway 76 +4
T19 Paul MCFERRAN (ENG) – Royal Liverpool 76 +4

CRAIGIELAW, SCOTLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,601 yards, par 71, course rating 72.5, slope rating 129
118 players / 57 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Jack MCDONALD (SCO) – Schloss Roxburghe 71 Ev QUALIFIED
T3 Euan MACDONALD (SCO) – Murcar Links 73 +2 QUALIFIED after a 8-for 7 play-off
T3 Oliver MUKHERJEE (SCO) – Gullane 73 +2 QUALIFIED after a 8-for 7 play-off
T3 Archie FINNIE (ENG) – Royal Burgess 73 +2 QUALIFIED after a 8-for 7 play-off
T15 Samuel MUKHERJEE (SCO) – Gullane 75 +4
T15 Ross COLQUHOUN (SCO) – Kingsfield 75 +4
T15 Austin LEMIEUX (USA) – Unattached 75 +4

ENVILLE (HIGHGATE), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,703 yards, par 72, course rating 73.7, slope rating 137
131 players / 56 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T5 James ILSLEY (ENG) – Enville 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T5 Luke BLOCKSIDGE (ENG) – Shifnal 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T9 Joel TARRY (ENG) – Cotswold Hills 71 -1 QUALIFIED after a 3-for 1 play-off
T12 Mike DOWNEY (ENG) – Cotswold Hills 72 Ev Res 57 CB
T16 Joshua GREIG (ENG) – Cottesmore 73 +1
T16 Spencer WORLEY (ENG) – Bloxwich 73 +1
T16 Harry WATKINS (WAL) – Royal Porthcawl 73 +1
T16 Rory MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG) – Royal Liverpool 73 +1
T16 Phil WHITE (ENG) – Burnham & Berrow 73 +1
T16 Kieron AUSTIN (USA) – Churchill & Blakedown 73 +1

FERNDOWN (OLD), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,538 yards, par 71, course rating 72.1, slope rating 130
126 players / 54 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T7 Joe BUENFELD (ENG) – Stoneham 70 -1 Res 11 after a 8-for 3 play-off
T7 Daniel ROBERTS (ENG) – The London Club 70 -1 Res 50 CB
T7 Ellis BRIGHT (ENG) – Cumberwell Park 70 -1 Res 71 CB
T15 Jamie ROBERTS (ENG) – The London Club 71 Ev Res 80 CB
T15 Luke METCALF (ENG) – Tandridge 71 Ev CB

FRILFORD HEATH (RED), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,045 yards, par 72, course rating 74.2, slope rating 138
129 players / 44 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T2 Will TATE (ENG) – The Caversham 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T2 Harry RICHARDSON (ENG) – Frilford Heath 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T14 Thomas SCULLION (ENG) – Upavon 72 Ev Res 67 CB
T14 Archie SMITH (ENG) – The Caversham 72 Ev
T14 Andrew ISAACS (ENG) – Long Sutton 72 Ev

FULFORD, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,835 yards, par 72, course rating 74.0, slope rating 144
125 players / 56 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Huey CUNNINGHAM (ENG) – Ilkley 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T1 Habib KHAN (ENG) – Huddersfield 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T4 Charlie BOX (ENG) – Kirby Muxloe 71 -1 QUALIFIED
T8 Jack PETERS (ENG) – Northamptonshire County 72 Ev QUALIFIED after a 5-for-2 play-off
T8 Ashley MANSELL (ENG) – Normanton 72 Ev QUALIFIED after a 5-for-2 play-off
T13 Jack MAXEY (ENG) – Hornsea 73 +1 Res 48 CB
T17 Jake SOWDEN (ENG) – The Oaks 74 +2
T17 George ROBSON (ENG) – Fulford 74 +2
T17 Daniel HAYCOCKS (ENG) – Oswestry 74 +2
T17 Daniel THOMAS (ENG) – Ilkley 74 +2
T17 Spencer DATKIEWICZ (ENG) – Hillside 74 +2
T17 Jack BRYAN (ENG) – Bolton Old Links 74 +2
T17 Harry RICHMOND (ENG) – Ilkley 74 +2

GOG MAGOG (OLD), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,367 yards, par 70, course rating 71.7, slope rating 122
127 players / 61 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Ed FEATHERSTONE (ENG) – Sheringham 67 -3 QUALIFIED
T1 Timmy MONCUR (ENG) – West Essex 67 -3 QUALIFIED
T4 Max WEAVER (ENG) – Bury St. Edmunds 69 -1 QUALIFIED
T4 Max HOPKINS (ENG) – Bishops Stortford 69 -1 QUALIFIED
T9 Jake PLUMB (ENG) – Gog Magog 70 Ev Res 9 CB
T9 Rohan NEAT (ENG) – Ely City 70 Ev Res 39 CB
T9 David KALLSTROM (SWE) – Saltsjobaden 70 Ev Res 52 CB
T9 Josh RUDKIN (ENG) – Cosby 70 Ev CB
T9 George HOWARD (ENG) – Gog Magog 70 Ev CB
T9 Oliver TOYER (ENG) – St Neots 70 Ev CB

HESKETH, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,700 yards, par 71, course rating 73.4 , slope rating 134
127 players / 60 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1st Jamie VAN WYK (ENG) – Royal Lytham & St. Annes 69 -2 QUALIFIED
T2 Tom HUGHES (ENG) – Formby 72 +1 QUALIFIED
T4 Joe EMERY (ENG) – Harwood 73 +2 QUALIFIED
T4 Greg HOLMES (ENG) – Royal Birkdale 73 +2 QUALIFIED
T9 Matthew LEVER (ENG) – The National AUS 75 +4 QUALIFIED after a 12-for-1 play-off
T9 Freddie DANCOX (ENG) – Ramsey 75 +4 Res 19 CB
T9 Lee WILLIAMS (ENG) – Fairhaven 75 +4 Res 79 CB
T9 Andrew HASWELL (ENG) – Ormskirk 75 +4 CB
T9 Kristian TAYLOR (ENG) – Formby 75 +4 CB

KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE), SCOTLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,930 yards, par 71, course rating 74.7, slope rating 139
109 players / 47 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T4 James DONALDSON (SCO) – Stirling 71 -1 QUALIFIED
T8 Harvey MCDONALD (SCO) – Loudon 73 +1 Res 1 CB
T12 Farris HASSAN (SCO) – St. Andrews 74 +2 Res 61 CB
T12 Paul DORRIAN (SCO) – Greenock 74 +2 CB
T12 Peter HANDCOCK (ENG) – Royal Cinque Ports 74 +2 CB
T19 Cormac SHARPE (SCO) – Blairgowrie 75 +3
T19 Kieran MCVICAR (SCO) – East Kilbride 75 +3

LINDRICK, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,724 yards, par 70, course rating 73.6, slope rating 128
101 players / 48 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1st Frazer JONES (ENG) – Kirby Muxloe 67 -3 QUALIFIED
T5 Sam POTTER (ENG) – Kedleston Park 70 Ev QUALIFIED
T8 Sam NUTTALL (ENG) – Lees Hall 71 +1 Res 6 CB
T8 Levi DESMOND (ENG) – Sudbrooke Moor 71 +1 Res 36 CB
T11 Aaron SCOTT (ENG) – Heworth 72 +2 CB
T15 Steven CAPPER (ENG) – Royal Liverpool 73 +3
T19 Max FAULKNER (ENG) – Northamptonshire County 74 +4
T19 Max REYNOLDS (ENG) – Wheatley 74 +4
T19 George CORDALL (ENG) – Worksop 74 +4
T19 Joe PAGDIN (ENG) – Lake Nona USA 74 +4
T19 Charlie DAUGHTREY (ENG) – Rotherham 74 +4
T19 Lennon ALBANS (ENG) – Hollinwell 74 +4
T19 James BAILEY (ENG) – Huddersfield 74 +4
T19 Dylan WELSORD (ENG) – Waltham Windmill 74 +4

MOOR PARK (HIGH), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,857 yards, par 72, course rating 73.8, slope rating 141
125 players / 50 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T1 Ville VIRKKALA (FIN) – Espoo 69 -3 QUALIFIED
T9 Oliver SMITH (ENG) – Quinta do Lago 71 -1 Res 14 CB
T9 Sam RUSSELL (ENG) – Royal Eastbourne 71 -1 Res 47 CB
T17 Adam BERG-CAPIN (ENG) – Sandy Lodge 72 Ev

NORTH HANTS, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,638 yards, par 70, course rating 71.7, slope rating 122
125 players / 51 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1st Freddie TURNELL (ENG) – Burnham & Berrow 66 -4 QUALIFIED
2nd Robert WHEELER (ENG) – North Hants 68 -2 QUALIFIED
T5 Josh MCCARTAIN (ENG) – Goodwood 70 Ev QUALIFIED
T5 Joshua MILLINGTON (ENG) – The Players Club 70 Ev QUALIFIED
T9 Charlie PRESTON (ENG) – Hartley Wintney 71 +1 QUALIFIED after a 6-for-1 play-off
T9 Chris THOMAS (ENG) – Hankley Common 71 +1 Res 10 CB
T9 Luke STOCK (ENG) – Walton Heath 71 +1 Res 21 CB

ROCHESTER & COBHAM PARK, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,594 yards, par 71, course rating 72.7, slope rating 131
124 players / 59 amateurs / 9 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T2 Oliver LEWIS-PERKINS (ENG) – Mid Kent 69 -2 QUALIFIED
T6 Jack LEE (ENG) – Rochester & Cobham Park 70 -1 QUALIFIED after a  7-for-4 play-off
T6 Raúl GÓMEZ (USA) – Benidorm 70 -1 QUALIFIED after a  7-for-4 play-off
T6 Carl BURROWS (ENG) – Rochester & Cobham Park 70 -1 QUALIFIED after a 7-for-4 play-off
T6 Luke JENKINS (ENG) – Roch. & Cobham Park 70 -1 Res 15 CB
T6 LEWIS GURR (ENG) – Copthorne 70 -1 Res 16 CB
T13 Lucas DENNISON (ENG) – Rochester & Cobham Park 71 Ev Res 76 CB
T13 Alberto DOMINGUEZ (ESP) – Montecastillo 71 Ev CB

THE ISLAND, IRELAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,439 yards, par 72, course rating 73.0 , slope rating 130
145 players / 56 amateurs / 10 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T3 Finley EAGER (IRL) – Royal Belfast 71 -1 QUALIFIED
T9 Oscar MURPHY (IRL) – Royal Portrush 74 +2 Res 5 CB
T9 Mark GAZI (IRL) – Tralee 74 +2 Res 56 CB
T9 Max BERRISFORD (ENG) – Ilkley 74 +2 Res 86 CB
T18 Jake FOLEY (IRL) – Elm Park 75 +3
T18 Jake WHELAN (IRL) – Grange 75 +3
T18 Patrick CURRAN (IRL) – Edmondstown 75 +3

Notes
a) Ties for the last qualifying place(s) were resolved by sudden death play-off at each site.
b) Irrespective of any play-off results reserve places at each site were allocated by card count back (CB) – back 9 or 6 or 3 or 1 hole – based on each player’s 18 hole score.

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Regional Qualifying)

Low Amateur Silver Medal

The Silver Medal is awarded to the leading amateur in The Open Championship who completes 72 holes. Bronze Medals are awarded to all other amateurs who complete 72 holes.

For more information on this prize please take a look at this article – The Open Championship’s Silver Medal.

More Championship Information

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Amateur Championship – 2019 Preview, Reports & Results

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22nd June 2019

Final

James SUGRUE (IRE) won the 124th Amateur Championship at Portmarnock G.C. on a near perfect day for golf.

He becomes the 8th Irish winner of the title following in the footsteps of Jimmy Bruen, Max McCready, Joe Carr, Garth McGimpsey, Michael Hoey, Brian McElhinney and most recently Alan Dunbar in 2012.

He beat Euan WALKER (SCO) by 2 Holes in a pulsating Final which went the full 36 holes.

The Mallow G.C. (County Cork) member can now look forward to playing in The Open, The Masters and U.S. Open over the next 12 months. He is additionally assured of a place in the Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) Walker Cup team which will face USA at Royal Liverpool G.C. in September.

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James Sugrue and Euan Walker (Photo: Pat Cashman)

Sugrue (22) made a dream start this morning. A combination of aggressive play off the tee, good chipping and confident holing out saw him build a 5Up lead after the first nine holes.

Walker started to settle on the back nine helped in no small part by holing a 50ft putt for a winning birdie on the 10th. When he then birdied the par 5 13th to reduce the deficit to 3 Down the match was certainly back on.

After both players bogeyed the long par 3 15th Sugrue moved to 4Up after Walker bogeyed the 17th. However, the extended advantage was short lived; an untidy 18th, with Sugrue taking four to get down from the green side after a duffed chip, ended with Walker taking the home hole with a bogey to go into lunch just 3 Down.

It was the Irishman who struck first in the afternoon with a birdie on the 2nd but this was quickly given back when he bogeyed the next.

With both players now comfortable with their surroundings and the large crowd the play became much improved. Walker produced four birdies to Sugrue’s two over the next ten holes to claw his way back into the match. When Sugrue bogeyed the 16th Walker had completed the comeback – we were All Square with three holes to play.

However, the exertions of regaining parity having been 5 Down after nine holes perhaps took too much out of the Scotsman. He will no doubt be disappointed with his play over the remaining two holes.

Firstly, a poor pitch on 17 opened the door to Sugrue who bravely two-putted from the front of the green to go 1Up.

Fortune then favoured Sugrue as his drive on the 18th bounced out of a fairway bunker, finishing on the mown top, whilst Walker found heavy rough well right. Both players did well to get just over the 18th green with their seconds before Walker’s first putt failed to climb a steep bank and he ultimately ended up conceding the hole to Sugrue’s tap in bogey. The home crowd which had swelled to around 3,000 cheered loudly as Sugrue and Ireland had won by 2 Holes.

Speaking to The R&A afterwards Sugrue said “It is hard to believe really. It hasn’t sunk in yet. Just to think about this win is unbelievable. Everything that comes with the win and all the crowds that were out there, it’s incredible. I’m just kind of happy I did it for the crowds, really, as I didn’t want all those people who came out to support me to see me end up losing. It’s more relief than anything else really to get over the line, especially after being three up going into the afternoon session. I’m just delighted to do it.”

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Sugrue v. Walker Final Scores (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

Click here to follow the – 2019 Amateur Championship Final Live Scores

The 125th Amateur Championship will be played at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire G.C.’s in England from 15th – 20th June 2020.

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21st June 2019

Semi-Finals

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Semi-Final Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

David MICHELUZZI (AUS) played James SUGRUE (IRE) in the first Semi-Final in a game that understandably attracted a large following at Portmarnock. After an up and down front nine the Irishman took control around the turn and saw out the match relatively comfortably.

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Micheluzzi v. Sugrue Semi-Final Scores (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

In the second Semi-Final Euan WALKER (SCO) got the better of Ben JONES (ENG). A birdie on the par 5 6th had given the Scotsman the early lead but this was soon overturned when he bogeyed both 8 and 9. Despite starting the back nine 1 Down Walker’s steadier play over the closing holes enabled him to eventually gain the upper hand.

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Walker v. Jones Semi-Final Scores (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

Click here to view the – 2019 Amateur Championship Semi-Final Results

Quarter Finals

The first Quarter Final between David MICHELUZZI (AUS) and Cameron SISK (USA) proved to be a tight affair with neither player ever leading by more than one hole. In the end a birdie on the 18th proved decisive for the Australian who broke the deadlock to win by 1 Hole.

James SUGRUE (IRE) started nervously in his game against Koen KOUWENAAR (NED) and was 2 Down after four holes. He recovered to All Square after the Dutchman found trouble on both the 8th and 9th, two longish par fours. Birdies were exchanged on 13 and 14 with first Sugrue taking the lead before Kouwenaar immediately bounced back. A bogey on 16 by the Mallow man appeared to have opened the door to his opponent but after the 17th was halved in par he holed a 15 footer on the final green for a birdie to save the day. When Kouwenaar then bogeyed the 1st Sugrue made no mistake with his safe par delighting the home crowd.

After a tight front nine where Sandy SCOTT (SCO) and Euan WALKER (SCO) matched each other shot for shot the third Quarter Final came alive at the start of the back nine. Scott birdied the 11th and after Walker bogeyed the next the Nairn player found himself 2Up with 6 holes to play. Walker birdied the par 5 13th to reduce the deficit and then quickly moved ahead after his compatriot handed him the 14th and 16th with bogeys. Like Sugrue in the game in front Scott refused to be beaten, his birdie on 18th forcing extra holes. The recovery was to be short-lived however as Walker composed himself to take the match on the 19th.

Ben JONES (ENG) beat Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) 3&1 in the final match this morning. After the front nine finished All-Square Jones played the difficult back nine in 3-under par to win well. Birdies on the 12th, 13th and 16th holes were the difference on the day.

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Quarter Final Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

Click here to follow the – 2019 Amateur Championship Quarter Final Results

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20th June 2019

Round 4

James SUGRUE (IRE) and Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) both kept Irish hopes for a home winner alive with Last 16 wins this afternoon.

Mullarney beat Matty LAMB (ENG) by 1 Hole in Round 4. Having led 5Up after 11 holes Mullarney required a par on the last to finally take care of Lamb who fought right to the end.

Euan WALKER (SCO) and Sandy SCOTT (SCO) delivered the all-Scottish quarter final by both winning close matches.

Ben JONES (ENG) will play Mullarney tomorrow, both players will be playing their fifth game having come through the Preliminary Round.

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Round 4 Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

Round 3

Day 2 of Match Play started badly for GB&I with medalist Tom PLUMB (ENG), Tom SLOMAN (ENG), Billy MCKENZIE (ENG) and Angus FLANAGAN (ENG) all falling to disappointing losses.

James SUGRUE (IRE) got things back on track. He was 3 Down with four holes to play before securing a memorable 1 Hole victory over Christoffer PÅLSSON (SWE). Sugrue gained revenge for a Round 3 loss to the Swede at Royal Aberdeen last year.

James ROBINSON‘s (ENG) run came to an end but not without some fight. He eventually lost on the 21st hole to Sergio PARRIEGO CORNEJO (ESP).

Euan WALKER (SCO) and Sandy SCOTT (SCO) both secured wins to keep alive hopes of an all-Scottish Quarter Final match.

The final four matches of the morning series all went the way of the home player with Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE), Matty LAMB (ENG), Bailey GILL (ENG) and Ben JONES (ENG) continuing their good form.

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Round 3 Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

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19th June 2019

Round 2

Despite my complaints below about the unfairness of his draw Medalist Tom PLUMB (ENG) took little time in despatching 41st seed Alejandro DEL RAY GONZALEZ (ESP) 7&5 this morning.

Tom SLOMAN (ENG) was made to work very hard for his 1 hole win over Joe PAGDIN (ENG). Sloman trailed from the start and was 3 down with 6 holes to play but managed to overturn the deficit over Portmarnock’s challenging finishing holes.

It was obvious from the Stroke Play Qualifying that no match would be over until it was over given par was often going to be good enough to take many holes coming home.

Billy MCKENZIE (ENG) handed a heavy 7&6 defeat to an out of sorts David LANGLEY (ENG), damaging the latter’s hopes of forcing his way into the GB&I Walker Cup team.

Germany’s Matthias SCHMID, back from Louisville University for the summer, provided the biggest win of Round 2, taking out Sam DONE (ENG) 9&8.

Angus FLANAGAN (ENG) produced the best comeback of the day. He was 5 Down with 6 to play but somehow managed to beat last week’s St. Andrews Links Trophy winner Jake BURNAGE (ENG) on the 20th hole.

Harry HALL (ENG) was also undone by the finishing holes; 1 Up with 3 to play fellow Walker Cup panelist James SUGRUE (IRE) came through to win by 2 holes.

The final match in the Upper Half of the draw saw surprise package James ROBINSON (ENG) comfortably dispose of Therion NEL (RSA) 4&3. Nel is currently ranked 88th in the SPWAR whilst Robinson sits 1,319th.

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Round 2 Upper Half Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

In the Lower Half of the Match Play draw Euan WALKER (SCO) showed all of his fighting qualities to come from behind to beat Eanna GRIFFIN (IRE) by 2 holes.

Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) will be disappointed not to have got past Finland’s far less experienced Jonatan JOLKKONEN.

In two tight matches Daniel O’LOUGHLIN (ENG) overcame Midlands rival Sam BROADHURST (ENG) on the first extra hole and Sandy SCOTT (SCO) beat Markus BRAADLIE (NOR) by 1 hole, the Norwegian perhaps tiring a little having also played in the Preliminary this morning.

Matty LAMB (ENG) secured his second victory of the day and in taking out Yurav PREMLALL (RSA) 3&1 ended South African interest in the Championship.

Bailey GILL (ENG) also enjoyed a good 4 &2 win over University of South Florida’s Albin BERGSTRÖM (SWE). Bergström had enjoyed an award winning Freshman season in the U.S. so will have arrived in Ireland with a lot of confidence.

Ben JONES (ENG) would have to be my ‘Player of the Day’ though, firstly beating Jayden SCHAPER (RSA / SPWAR #10) in 22 holes this morning before going all the way to the 18th green with John AXELSEN (DEN / SPWAR #151) this afternoon. I am sure his fighting spirit will not have been lost on the watching Walker Cup selectors.

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Round 2 Lower Half Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

Click here to view the – 2019 Amateur Championship Round 2 Draw / Scores

Preliminary Round 1

The Match Play Stage of The Amateur Championship, which is being played exclusively at Portmarnock G.C., started at 7.00am this morning.

76 players made the top 64 and ties cut.

As a result the 24 lowest scoring qualifiers had to play a Preliminary Round 1 to produce the final 12 players required to make up the 64 needed for Round 2.

Sam BROADHURST (ENG), Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE), Matty LAMB (ENG) and Ben JONES (ENG) all came through the Preliminary Round to take their place in Round 2.

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Preliminary Round 1 Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)

Click here to view the – 2019 Amateur Championship Preliminary Round 1 Draw / Scores

ME.

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Every year I complain about the use by The R&A of a Preliminary Round rather than using a play-off or card count back to produce the 64 players needed for the first round proper.

This year because of the Preliminary Round medalist Tom PLUMB (ENG), who would be playing the 64th qualifier in a clean draw, has been paired with the 41st qualifier Alejandro DEL REY GONZALEZ (ESP).

Take a look at the table below which outlines how the 76 Stroke Play seeds fed through into this year’s Amateur Championship draw and how this compares with a Standard 64 player Match Play draw.

You will see most of the leading qualifiers end up playing against higher rated players than they deserve to. The only beneficiaries being those players who receive the winners of the Preliminary Round in the Lower Half of the draw.

Upper Half Draw Lower Half Draw
Amateur ‘19 Standard Amateur ‘19 Standard
1 vs 41 64 22 vs 47 43
32 vs 50 33 11 vs 36 54
16 vs 38 49 27 vs 37 38
17 vs 35 48 6 vs 34 59
8 vs 44 57 19 vs 57 vs 53 46
25 vs 39 40 14 vs 70 vs 54 51
9 vs 51 56 30 vs 75 vs 73 35
24 vs 48 41 3 vs 64 vs 60 62
4 vs 42 61 23 vs 61 vs 62 42
29 vs 49 36 10 vs 69 vs 56 55
13 vs 43 52 26 vs 76 vs 58 39
20 vs 40 45 7 vs 66 vs 55 58
5 vs 46 60 18 vs 59 vs 67 47
28 vs 33 37 15 vs 72 vs 71 50
12 vs 52 53 31 vs 65 vs 63 34
21 vs 45 44 2 vs 68 vs 74 63

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18th June 2019

Tom PLUMB (ENG) secured Stroke Play medalist honours at The Amateur today after posting an aggregate 36 hole score of 139 (-4). Plumb shot a second round 71 (-1) at Portmarnock.

In the last group out John AXELSEN (DEN) recorded a 69 at Portmarnock to pull level with Plumb on 139 (-4). However, he lost out on count back; his 72 (I 37 / P 35) was four shots more than Plumb’s (I 33 / P 35) on the aggregate of the two back nines.  

Sandy SCOTT (SCO) was 3rd after a 69 at The Island left him on 140 (-3).

William BUHL (NOR) and Harry HALL (ENG) were tied 4th on 141 (-2).

Conditions were favourable today with sunny intervals and a modest breeze.

The best rounds of the day at Portmarnock belonged to Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE), Euan MCINTOSH (SCO) and Mason ANDERSEN (USA) who all posted 68’s (-4) to qualify.

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Caolan Rafferty’s and Euan McIntosh’s Scorecards (Photo: The R&A / Getty Images)

The average Round 2 score at Portmarnock was 75.33 (+3.33).

Blake WINDRED (AUS) recorded the lowest round at The Island on Day 2 with a bogey free 67 (-4). Unfortunately his 82 at Portmarnock yesterday was never going to be recoverable.

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Blake Windred’s Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Getty Images)

The average Round 2 score at The Island was 74.16 (+3.16).

24 of the 26 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup squad players were competing. 12 of the group made it through to the Match Play Stage. These were Thomas PLUMB (ENG) -4, Sandy SCOTT (SCO) 2nd, Harry HALL (ENG) -2, Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) -1, Joe PAGDIN (ENG) Ev, Bailey GILL (ENG) +1, Euan MCINTOSH (SCO) +1, Tom SLOMAN (ENG) +2, Euan WALKER (SCO) +2, Jake BURNAGE (ENG) +2, James SUGRUE (IRE) +3 and Ben JONES (ENG) +4.

14 other GB&I players qualified, namely, David LANGLEY (ENG) -1, Jake BOLTON (ENG) -1, Eanna GRIFFIN (IRE) Ev, Angus FLANAGAN (ENG) +1, James ROBINSON (ENG) +1, Connor MCKINNEY (SCO) +1, Ben HUTCHINSON (ENG) +1, Daniel O’LOUGHLIN (ENG) +2, Sam DONE (ENG) +2, Billy MCKENZIE (ENG) +2, Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) +4, Jack AINSCOUGH (ENG) +4, Sam BROADHURST (ENG) +4 and Matty LAMB (ENG) +4.

As predicted the top 64 and ties Match Play cut fell at 147 (+4) with a total of 76 players progressing. The 24 lowest scoring qualifiers will therefore be involved in a Preliminary Round to establish the final 64 players.

Click here to view the – 2019 Amateur Championship SP Qualifying Results

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Match Play here are the Stroke Play Qualifying hole-by-hole statistics for Portmarnock G.C. which may assist with strategy: –

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17th June 2019

Geoff LENEHAN (IRE) and Tom MCKIBBIN (N.I.) played the first tee shots of the 124th Amateur Championship at 7.00am this morning at Portmarnock G.C. and The Island G.C. respectively.

On a breezy but dry day on the east coast of Ireland the scoring was relatively high. Just 17 players in the field of 288 recorded an under par score.

Anton ALBERS (GER) was the low man at Portmarnock in Round 1 of the Stroke Play Qualifying with a 4-under par 68.

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Anton Albers’ Round 1 Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Getty Images)

There was a total of six under par rounds at Portmarnock. Sandy SCOTT (SCO), who recorded a 71 (-1), provided one of them.

The average score at Portmarnock in Round 1 was 77.47 (+5.47).

Ayoub SSOUADI (MOR) and Harry HALL (ENG) both recorded 67’s (-4) at The Island to share the Day 1 lead with the German.

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Ayoub Ssouadi’s and Harry Hall’s Round 1 Scorecards (Photo: The R&A / Getty Images)

A total of 11 under par rounds were posted at The Island. Tom PLUMB (ENG) 68 (-3), James ROBINSON (ENG) and Tom SLOMAN (ENG) both 69 (-2), Curtis KNIPES (ENG), David LANGLEY (ENG) and Joe PAGDIN (ENG) all 70 (-1) led the way for Great Britain & Ireland.

The average score at The Island in Round 1 was 75.14 (+4.14).

The projected top 64 and ties match play cut mark looks like being 147 (+4). This is based on the fact that after Round 1 27 players are tied 52nd on +2. 31 of these 78 players played at Parmarnock and 47 at The Island.

Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) I +3, Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) P +3, Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) P +3, David HAGUE (ENG) P +3, Euan WALKER (SCO) P +3, Jake HAPGOOD (WAL) P +4, Tom MCKIBBIN (IRE) I +4, Robin WILLIAMS (ENG) P +4, Akshay BHATIA (USA) P +4, Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) P +4, James SUGRUE (IRE) P +5, Conor PURCELL (IRE) I +5, Ben JONES (ENG) P +5, Euan MCINTOSH (SCO) I +5, Wilco NIENABER (RSA) P +5, Ryan LUMSDEN (SCO) P +6, Ben CHAMBERLAIN (WAL) I +6, Josh MCMAHON (ENG) P +6, Jamie STEWART (SCO) P +7, John MURPHY (IRE) I +7, Tiarnan MCLARNON (IRE) I +8 and Blake WINDRED (AUS) P +10 are therefore amongst the more notable players who can afford few mistakes tomorrow.

ME.

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14th June 2019

The 124th Amateur Championship starts on Monday 17th June at Portmarnock Golf Club and The Island Golf Club. Both courses are located a short distance to the north east of Dublin city centre in Ireland.

The Amateur is the most prestigious amateur golf event played outside of the United States and without question the highlight of the Great British and Irish (GB&I) amateur season.

Format

288 players will play two stroke play qualifying rounds, one round on each course, on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th June.

Click here to view the – 2019 Amateur Championship SP Qualifying Tee Times

The 64 players with the lowest 36 hole scores, and ties for 64th place, will advance to the match play stage and be seeded in line with their qualifying finishes. A preliminary round will be used if more than 64 players qualify. [I would prefer there to be a play-off or an aggregate count back so there can be a clean draw made.]

The match play stage will then be played solely at Portmarnock between Wednesday 19th and Saturday 22nd June.

Matches will be played over 18 holes except for Saturday’s Final which will be contested over 36 holes. Extra sudden death holes will be used in all games if necessary.

Players

The 288 players are drawn firstly from a number of exempt categories covering various Championship performances and representative team selections. Thereafter places are allocated to those players ranked 1st – 2,000th in the WAGR as at 15th May 2019. The lowest non-exempt WAGR player in the field is currently Islam HABEBUL (ENG) at #939.

Looking at the current SPWAR, my preferred amateur ranking, there are 19 of the top 50 players competing. These are Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) 9th, Conor PURCELL (IRE) 10th, Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) 12th, Blake WINDRED (AUS) 14th, Wilco NIENABER (RSA) 19th, David MICHELUZZI (AUS) 22nd, Euan WALKER (SCO) 25th, Harry HALL (ENG) 27th, Jake BURNAGE (ENG) 29th, Tom SLOMAN (ENG) 32nd, Alejandro DEL REY GONZALEZ (ESP) 33rd, Keita NAKAJIMA (JAP) 34th, Tom PLUMB (ENG) 38th, David LANGLEY (ENG) 39th, Yurav PREMLALL (RSA) 41st, Ben JONES (ENG) 43rd, Bailey GILL (ENG) 45th, Matthias SCHMID (GER) 47th and Stefano MAZZOLI (ITA) 49th.

Players from 34 different countries will contest the 2019 Amateur Championship.

England have 54 players in the field, Ireland 22, Scotland 18 and Wales 5.

Outside of the home nations the best represented countries are USA (27), France (24), Germany (16), Spain (16), Sweden (12), Italy (11), Australia (11), Denmark (9), South Africa (8) and Finland (8).

Whilst there are a large number of Americans playing it again remains the case that the vast majority of their leading players continue to skip the Championship. It is disappointing but perhaps understandable that most of them prefer to play in the Northeast Amateur Invitational at Wannamoisett C.C. in Providence, Rhode island – an event that starts on Wednesday 19th June. Without their participation The Amateur will always lack a little something despite the Major exemptions on offer. The best American this year is Cole MADEY (SPWAR 54) albeit Akshay BHATIA (SPWAR 101) is a notable junior.

Stewart HAGESTAD (USA), Daniel HILLIER (NZL) and Chun An “Kevin” YU (TPE) all qualified for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and were sadly all late withdrawals.

12 Reserves were called upon since the original draw was made on 20th May.

Portmarnock G.C.’s Promotional Video For The Amateur Championship (3:13)

Host Courses

This is only the second time that The Amateur has been staged outside Great Britain. Portmarnock hosted the Championship 70 years ago in 1949 with Max McCready overcoming Willie Turnesa 2&1 in the Final.

Situated on its own peninsula Portmarnock G.C., which was opened in 1894, will play to 7,422 yards and a par of 72. Whilst the front nine is longer by 150 yards it is the strong finishing holes for which the links are renowned.

The Island G.C. was founded in 1890 and as its name suggests was originally only accessible by ferry boat. It plays to 7,019 yards from the back tees and has a par of 71.

Weather Forecast (as at Monday 16th June)

The weather forecast looks resonable, with little rain and a fairly consistent south westerly wind expected: –

Mon 17th June – Sunny. Wind 17 mph SW. Temp. Max. 17°C / Min 10°C.
Tue 18th June – Sunny. Wind 10 mph SW. Temp. Max. 18°C / Min 9°C.
Wed 19th June – Showers PM. Wind 12 mph SW. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 9°C.
Thu 20th June – Cloudy. Wind 13 mph W. Temp. Max. 15°C / Min 7°C.
Fri 21st June – Sunny. Wind 12 mph SW. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 9°C.
Sat 22nd June – Cloudy. Wind 13 mph SE. Temp. Max. 17°C / Min 11°C.

Click here to view the – Latest BBC Weather Forecast For Dublin

Players will tee off between 7.00am and 3.52pm on Monday and Tuesday so changes in the weather and wind speed may have a role to play in the stroke play qualifying scoring.

Prizes / Exemptions

A momento is presented by The R&A to the leading player in the stroke play qualifying competition, with a tie decided on the lowest aggregate score for the second nine holes on both courses (or six or three or one).

The winner of the match play stage will become the Champion Amateur Golfer for the year and is awarded the Championship Trophy and a Gold Medal. The runner-up receives a Silver Medal and each losing semi-finalist a Bronze Medal.

The winner of The Amateur Championship will be exempt into next month’s 148th Open Championship being staged at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

Traditionally, the champion is also invited to compete in the following year’s Masters Tournament at Augusta National G.C. and also exempted into the 2020 U.S. Open Championship which is being held at Winged Foot G.C. in Mamaroneck, New York.

Finally, there is an informal rule that any GB&I player who wins the Amateur Championship in a Walker Cup year will be automatically selected for our team.

2018 Amateur Championship

Jovan REBULA (RSA) won the 2018 Amateur Championship beating Robin DAWSON (IRE) 3&2 in the 36 hole Final played at Royal Aberdeen G.C.

He was the first South African winner since Bobby Cole in 1966.

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Jovan Rebula (Photo: The R&A / Mark Runnacles / Getty Images)

Click here to view the – 2018 Amateur Championship Match Play Results

Fellow South African Wilco NIENABER was medalist in the preceeding Stroke Play Qualifying. He shot a 66 at Murcar Links and a 67 at Royal Aberdeen G.C. for a 133 (-8) total.

The top 64 and ties match play cut fell at +6 with 77 players progressing. There were 30 GB&I qualifiers amongst this number.

Click here to view the – 2018 Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Results

A Short History of The Amateur

The Amateur Championship was first played in April 1885 at Royal Liverpool G.C. Allan Macfie (SCO) was the first champion beating Horace Hutchinson (ENG) 7&6 in the Final.

Up until the Second World War it was a hugely prestigious event and in many of these early years was afforded a much higher standing in the game than The Open. Players like Johnny Ball (ENG), Harold Hilton (ENG) and Freddie Tait (SCO) were all amateurs and as good if not better than most of the professionals of the day.

With only modest rewards available in the professional game many of the better players simply stayed amateur. The great American Bobby Jones, who won The Amateur in 1930 on the way to his Grand Slam, remains the most well known career amateur.

Even after the war players remained amateur for much longer and famous names like Frank Stranahan (USA), Joe Carr (IRE), Sir Michael Bonallack (ENG) and Peter McEvoy (ENG) all built their reputations on Amateur Championship wins.

With the growth and transformation of the professional game from the early 1980s onwards both the better players and the media increasingly started to turn their backs on the amateur game.

Save for exceptional cases like Gary Wolstenholme (ENG) all continuity has been lost over the last 30 years and most of the young golfing stars of today rarely play any more than 2 or 3 Amateurs before being lured into the pro ranks by the huge rewards on offer.

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The Amateur Championship Trophy (Photo: Dominik Holyer) 

Past Winners

The greatest player in the history of The Amateur is Johnny Ball. The Hoylake man won the Championship a record 8 times between 1888 and 1912.

Only three other players have won the competition more than twice; Sir Michael Bonallack (5), Harold Hilton (4) and Joe Carr (3). Bonallack amazingly won it three years in a row between 1968-1970. The last person to retain The Amateur was Peter McEvoy in 1977 and ’78.

Prior to Jovan Rebula’s win in 2018 the previous 10 winners of The Amateur Championship were: –

2017  Harry Ellis (ENG) – Royal St. George’s G.C.
2016  Scott Gregory (ENG) – Royal Porthcawl G.C.
2015  Romain Langasque (FRA) – Carnoustie G.L.
2014  Bradley Neil (SCO) – Royal Portrush G.C.
2013  Garrick Porteous (ENG) – Royal Cinque Ports G.C.
2012  Alan Dunbar (IRE) – Royal Troon G.C.
2011  Bryden Macpherson (AUS) – Hillside G.C.
2010  Jin Jeong (KOR) – Muirfield
2009  Matteo Manassero (ITA) – Formby G.C.
2008  Reinier Sexton (NED) – Trump Tunberry

A great achievement and honour for all of the players listed above. However, it’s also another reminder of how incredibly tough golf is and that wins in the biggest events are no guarantee of success in the professional game.

Click here to view a complete list of – Amateur Championship winners

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2019, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.