Final Qualifying Roundup
Justin Rose is going back to The Open. He headlines a mix of amateurs, journeymen and first-time major qualifiers making it to the 2024 championship at Royal Troon.
The 16 Open qualifiers at four links represent every possible corner of the golf globe and level of career status. From a former major champion to a pair of Spaniards hailing out of the same club to a Troon local, the qualifiers reinforced what makes open events so grand.
Before this roundup, here is a link to the R&A’s live blog to see all coverage and scores. One other note about the day: a massive congratulations to the first-ever radio broadcast team who did a terrific job making a tall task covering four courses with no television coverage and informative and enjoyable listen.
Dundonald
Sam Hutsby (-8), Angel Hidalgo (-5), Liam Nolan (-5) and Jack McDonald (-4) will all tee up at The 152nd after succeeding at the qualifying site closest to Royal Troon.
The Kyle Phillips-designed modern links had previously hosted the Scottish and Women’s Scottish Open and saw some of the worst weather of Tuesday’s Final Qualifying sites.
The 35-year-old Englishman Hutsby eagled the 5th in his afternoon round, solidifying medalist honors and his Open debut.
“I’ve missed out by a shot twice. It has always been a childhood dream to play in a major,” he said. “To be a British player playing in your home Championship, I couldn’t have dreamt of that. I was working in a golf shop two years ago but I’ve put an unbelievable amount of hard work in and hopefully this is reward for the sacrifices I’ve made.”
Hidalgo and Irish Walker Cup player Nolan were tied on five-under-par, with Hidalgo holing a wedge shot from 120 yards for an eagle at the last to qualify.
“I'm still shaking,” Hidalgo said moments after. “The second shot was perfect distance. It was the first time all day I had a full club and at that type of moment. With nerves 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 and cried with my caddie and we deserve it. We fight a lot. All this year we've not really had luck so if finally I take the place (in The Open) it would be a really good gift.”
Nolan said he struggled to process his first Open and first major.
“I’m looking forward to everything - the crowds, it being in Scotland, the Home of Golf, and, yeah, I just can’t wait to go.”
The story of the day involved Barassie’s Jack McDonald, who holed a 25-footer for birdie on the first playoff hole to eliminate Daniel Young and Tim Widing.
Hailing mere blocks from Troon, McDonald follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Gordon Cosh who qualified for the 1977 Open Championship.
“Going into this I just had a feeling. I remember playing in The Amateur in 2012 at Royal Troon and I was like ‘how good would it be to play in an Open there?’” he said. “And I just can’t believe that is going to happen now. It’s amazing and hopefully I can go there and play some good golf.”
A member at Kilmarmock Barassie next door to Troon, McDonald first played the old course when he was around 12-years-old. He has recently been walking his dog along the beach next to Troon, taking in all of the infrastructure and dreaming of playing The Open. Now he gets his well-deserved shot.
West Lancashire
English amateur Matthew Dodd-Berry (-6) and LIVster Sam Horsfield (-6) led the qualifiers at West Lancashire.
Channeling similar vibes as last year’s Royal Liverpool member-hero Matthew Jordan, Dodd-Berry enjoyed a supportive gallery. They erupted after his final hole birdie secured a trip to Royal Troon.
“It’s the greatest moment of my career and it’s everything that I’ve been working towards, even though I should have probably done it a year earlier and played at Royal Liverpool,” he said. “I’m really excited to get to Troon.”