The Open Qualifying Series continues with a busy week as five players are set to earn their way into the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale this July.
The series got underway in October with Marco Penge securing his spot at the Spanish Open while LIV Golf star Tom McKibbin earned his way in via the Hong Kong Open the following month.
South African Open, Stellenbosch Golf Club: 3 spots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The leading three players who make the cut at Stellenbosch, who are not already exempt, will achieve qualification to Birkdale.
First played formally in 1903, the South African Open is the second oldest national open in golf and this is only the second time in history Stellenbosch Golf Club is hosting it.
The top-ranked player in the field, and one surely to be a media focus, is World No.18 Patrick Reed. After his departure from the LIV Golf League in January, Reed has been in exceptional form, collecting victories in Dubai and Qatar, as well as winning the International Swing – which earned him a $200,000 bonus.
There will also be a pack of home talent looking to make their mark. Casey Jarvis, fresh off his maiden title at the Magical Kenyan Open, will look to continue the local dominance at this event, after Dylan Naidoo became the seventh South African in a row to take the title.
Jayden Schaper will also be one to watch as he seeks his third win of the season, after back-to-back victories at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
Players in South African Open field already exempt:
- Angel Ayora
- Jack Buchanan (a)
- Martin Couvra
- Ernie Els
- Michael Hollick
- Kota Kaneko
- Joakim Lagergren
New Zealand Open, Millbrook Resort: 1 spot
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The New Zealand Open offers a sole Open spot for the leading player who is not already exempt.
Kevin Na will be making his first appearance since departing the LIV Golf League at the start of the year, and it will also be his first professional…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Latest from Golf Monthly…