For at least a month we’ve had Open Qualifying on the mind, thanks to the U.S. Open’s “Longest Day in Golf” punching tickets to Oakmont. Well, the equivalent of that is set to take place next week, on July 1, with 20 players advancing from four different sites. The lowest five scores over 36 holes at each qualifying location will advance to Northern Ireland for the Open at Royal Portrush. You can follow along with scoring here.
So, who’s going? We’ll get to that after we first acknowledge who isn’t taking part.
Sergio Garcia — But he has a very good reason. Garcia is competing in LIV Dallas this week, and with a solid showing he should qualify for The Open on the merits of being the top ranked LIV player not already qualified for the Open, and still in the top 5 of the season standings. He holds a slight lead over Lucas Herbert (by 6.1 points) and Sebastian Munoz (by 8.61). If Garcia struggles and either of those players finish in the top 10, he could get pipped. That would be a stroke of unfortunate luck for a player who adores The Open, but has struck out in qualifying the last two years. He also traveled to Macau to play an International Series event in the spring, as a top-3 finish would help him qualify. He finished fourth, in agonizing fashion. He’ll know Sunday night if he’s got a spot in Portrush.
Former Ryder Cuppers (5)
Rafa Cabrera Bello — it’s been a rough couple of years; RCB is ranked 482 by DataGolf
Alex Noren — it’s been a fascinating 12 months! Noren is a top 50 player in the world
Jamie Donaldson — at 49 years and 8 months old, he’s bound for the senior circuit. Unless…
Danny Willett — Willett continues to flash every once in awhile. He needs the long game to show up
Chris Wood — few players have had greater struggles while still being beautifully vulnerable about it with the public
Former LIVers (2)
Eugenio Chacarra — LIV Golf is in his past. He swore off the rival league. But is the Open in his future?
Hennie Du Plessis — May never have it as good as the summer of ’22 when he made a good bit of money with LIV Golf
Current LIVers (15)
Kudos to these gents for giving it a go, largely because it’ll take a redeye flight from Dallas into London and then an extra commute from there Monday after LIV Dallas is held this weekend. The jet lag will be real ahead of a 36-hole grindfest.
Branden Grace
Paul Casey
Harold Varner III
Dean Burmester
Adrian Meronk
David Puig
Abe Ancer
Andy Ogletree
Lee Westwood
Sam Horsfield
Ian Poulter
Caleb Surrat
Anirban Lahiri
Jinichiro Kozuma
Graeme McDowell
Also receiving votes! (5)
Harry Hall — one of the best putters in the world this year
Erik Van Rooyen — too good to not already be qualified
Alex Fitzpatrick — career’d it at the Open in 2023 (T17) and won a couple weeks later
Doc Redman — making a special trip across the pond from the KFT
Eddie Pepperell — one of the more beloved voices in the sport
Intriguing amateurs (2)
Luke Poulter — one of the best ams in the world, who has a famous father, and is only getting better
Stewart Hagestad — he’s kind of conquered amateur golf in the States, but not abroad!