In a mammoth day, 20 players left their respective venues thrilled to know that they had wrapped up their spots at Royal Birkdale for The Open Championship.
At the beginning of the 36-hole marathon, 288 players were vying for places, with Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire the venues.
Among the notable names playing were Major winners Sergio Garcia and Danny Willett, as well as a host of names from the DP World Tour and LIV Golf League... but it was the lesser known players who were the stars of the show.
The most exciting finish came at West Lancashire, where Matthew Jordan overcame Joe Dean and amateur Sam Easterbrook via a second playoff hole birdie.
All three men finished eight-under and, after all parred the first playoff hole (10th), Jordan almost holed his approach at the second (18th), with a tap-in birdie handing him a fifth straight Open Championship appearance.
Earlier in the day, England's Sam Bairstow earned the top spot, firing a 10-under score following rounds of 66 and 68.
He was joined by fellow DP World Tour player Kazuma Kobori, who was nine-under, while LIV Golfer, Jose Luis Ballester, overcame a scare at the last to also shoot that score.
Eagling the 16th hole of his second round, the Spaniard had to hit a provisional off the last hole after his first went well left.
Thankfully, he was able to find his original tee shot, with Ballester taking full advantage as he made birdie to finish nine-under.
Rounding out the final spot at West Lancashire was Tiger Christensen, who also finished on the same score.
This is the magic of Final Qualifying. Matthew Jordan delivers when it matters most to secure his place in The 154th Open. pic.twitter.com/VtGKJHS1HaJune 30, 2026
Another exciting finish came at Burnham & Berrow, where Korn Ferry Tour winner, James Nicholas topped the standings via rounds of 65 and 67.
The American made the US Open via Final Qualifying and hit the opening tee shot at the Major.
Now, just a few weeks on, Nicholas is set to make his maiden Open Championship appearance, where he will be joined by LIV Golfer Caleb Surratt, who also participated in his first Major at the US Open via Final Qualifying.
Nicholas finished 10-under, while Surratt was nine-under, with three players finishing eight-under. They were amateur Alejandro De Castro Piera, as well as Burnham's own Tom Sloman and American Austen Truslow.
In the dying stages, there was a chance that DP World Tour player, Brandon Robinson-Thompson might force a 4-for-3 playoff, but his 15-footer to force said playoff at the last missed.
At Dundonald Links and Royal Cinque Ports, there was slightly less drama, albeit the day wasn't without some.
Antoine Rozner birdied two of his final three holes to sneak into the final qualifying spot at Royal Cinque Ports, with his eight-under-par score putting him solo fifth.
LIV Golfer Peter Uihlein was fourth at nine-under, while Matthew Southgate's impressive record at Final Qualifying continued, as he secured a place at The Open Championship for a sixth time via Final Qualifying.
MJ Daffue and Baard Bjoernevik Skogen topped the standings on the Kent coast, producing two rounds in the 60s to sit 12-under.
It was Dundonald that, perhaps, threw up the most surprising results, as two amateurs, David Howard and Nevil Ruiter, qualified with four-under and three-under scores.
Jack McDonald topped the standings at five-under, while Matthew Baldwin, who was four-under, will be very pleased to earn a place at Royal Birkdale, which just so happens to be his home course.
Rounding out the final spot was Marcus Plunkett, who produced rounds of 69 and 72 to secure his spot at Royal Birkdale on July 16-19th.
Check out the full qualifiers below, as well as the full scoring from a thrilling final day here.
Burnham & Berrow Confirmed Spots
- -10 James Nicholas (65-67)
- -9 Caleb Surratt (67-66)
- -8 Tom Sloman (69-65)
- -8 Alejandro De Castro Piera (a) (65-69)
- -8 Austen Truslow (68-68)
Dundonald Links Confirmed Spots
- -5 Jack McDonald (70-69)
- -4 Matthew Baldwin (69-71)
- -4 David Howard (a) (69-71)
- -3 Nevil Ruiter (a) (71-70)
- -3 Marcus Plunkett (69-72)
Royal Cinque Ports Confirmed Spots
- -12 Baard Bjoernevik Skogen (68-64)
- -12 MJ Daffue (67-65)
- -10 Matthew Southgate (68-66)
- -9 Peter Uihlein (66-69)
- -8 Antoine Rozner (69-67)
West Lancashire Confirmed Spots
- -10 Samuel Bairstow (66-68)
- -9 Kazuma Kobori (70-65)
- -9 Jose Luis Ballester Barrio (70-65)
- -9 Tiger Christensen (65-70)
- -8 Matthew Jordan (69-67)*
- -8 Joe Dean (70-66)
-
-8
Sam Easterbrook (a) (69-67)
*advanced via 3-for-1 playoff
Updates From...
HELLO AND WELCOME TO FINAL QUALIFYING
Good morning, afternoon and evening to wherever you are in the world, and welcome to Golf Monthly's coverage of Open Championship Final Qualifying.
One of the best days in golf, the action is well underway on Tuesday, with some notable names making charges over the four venues around the UK.
Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire are the courses in question, so sit back and let us take you through the afternoon's play!
FIRST ROUND UPDATE
There has been a lot of golf played this morning, with the first round all-but done across the four courses.
Several notable names are in contention, with Peter Uihlein leading at Royal Cinque Ports via a six-under 66. He has also started the second round well, with the American two-under through four.
Owen Edwards tied the course record at Burnham & Berrow, firing a seven-under 64, while YouTube star, George Bryan, carded a 70 at West Lancashire, and has started excellently this afternoon, sitting three-under through six holes to be five-under overall.
SERGIO UPDATE
Arguably the biggest name at Final Qualifying, Sergio Garcia is looking to qualify for The Open after narrowly missing out the last few years.
Playing at West Lancashire, The Masters winner carded a four-under first round of 68, but has started his second round poorly, sitting two-over through four to be two-under overall.
Work to do for the Spaniard, who is tied 22nd right now.
STRONG START FOR BAIRSTOW
Speaking of West Lancs, Sam Bairstow has made the perfect start to his second round, eagling the first to move to eight-under and alongside leader Tiger Christensen.
Bairstow is a winner on the Challenge Tour and hasn't featured in The Open Championship since 2022, where he qualified via his runner-up finish at The Amateur Championship.
SURRATT CONTENDING
Caleb Surratt is a member of the LIV Golf League and qualified for the US Open via Final Qualifying last month.
Playing at Burnham & Berrow today, he is seven-under for the tournament. Producing a four-under 67 first round, he is three-under through eight during his second round.
A MESSAGE FROM ROSEY
Good luck everybody playing in Final Qualifying for the @TheOpen tomorrow.Few pictures from a few years ago when I rolled the 🎲 at @BurnhamBerrow a very stressful 36 holes, but worth it in the end!! #TheOpen @RandA pic.twitter.com/0fJGXf4VtDJune 29, 2026
BRYAN BROS FIRING
Both George and Wesley Bryan are appearing at Open Final Qualifying for the first time, and they're making the most of it at West Lancs.
The brothers are both five-under and in a share of fifth, which would be a playoff right now.
George had to go through Regional Qualifying, while Wesley, who is a PGA Tour winner, has a familiar face in Peter Finch on the bag, who made it to Final Qualifying last year.
WILSON MOVES THREE CLEAR AT DUNDONALD
Andrew Wilson is enjoying a fine day at Dundonald Links, with the Englishman carding a four-under opening round of 68.
That momentum has continued this afternoon, as he sits three-under for his front nine and seven-under overall, three strokes clear of Matthew Baldwin in second.
LIV REPORT
Several LIV players are competing in Final Qualifying, with a strong showing taking place at Royal Cinque Ports.
Uihlein is still the solo leader at eight-under, while John Catlin is six-under and in T4th. Behind the American, Thomas Detry is four-under and T8th, while Luis Masaveu and Dean Burmester are both two-under and in 16th.
A 65 FOR NICHOLAS
James Nicholas has enjoyed a fine 2026 and has opened his Final Qualifying account with a six-under 65 at Burnham & Berrow.
He made it to the US Open via Final Qualifying, where he made the cut at Shinnecock Hills and finished T65th.
BAIRSTOW'S HOT START CONTINUES
He eagled the first, and Bairstow has now birdied the second and third of his second round to move to 10-under and two clear of Christensen.
SURRATT JUMPS TO EIGHT-UNDER
Surratt birdies the 10th at Burnham & Berrow and moves to eight-under for the tournament.
He shot four-under this morning and is four-under this morning. He sits in a share of second alongside amateur Alejandro De Castro Piera.
SHARE OF THE LEAD
There have been some early moves this afternoon at Royal Cinque Ports, with Baard Bjoernevik Skogen joining Uihlein at the top of the leaderboard at eight-under.
Skogen is four-under through eight holes and making a charge. What's more, behind the Norwegian, Matthew Southgate and MJ Daffue share third at seven-under, with Catlin now solo fifth at six-under.
WEST LANCS IS GETTING INTERESTING
Remember, the top five spots from each venue will earn a place at The Open, with some tight finishes already starting to appear.
At West Lancs, Bairstow is leading at 10-under, while two players are eight-under and one is six-under.
It's the battle for fifth that's most interesting, though, where seven players share that final spot. If it were to end like this, we would have a seven-for-one playoff!
FIVE-WAY SHARE FOR THIRD
It's a similar story at Dundonald Links, where five players currently share third spot.
Wilson and American, Marcus Plunkett, are seven and four-under-par, respectively, while five players monitor third.
If it were to finish like this, we would have a five-for-three-playoff in Scotland.
DP WORLD TOUR IN ACTION
There are plenty of DP World Tour players in action, with multiple in contention for an Open spot at West Lancs.
Kazuma Kobori is five-under and T4th, as is Adri Arnaus. DP World Tour winner, Marcus Armitage, is four-under and T11th, as is Matthew Jordan.
Masters winner, Danny Willett, is also at the venue, and he is three-under and T19th, sitting alongside Joe Dean.
DOUBLE BOGEY FOR THE LEADER
That has made things interesting at Dundonald!
Wilson had been leading by two, but a double bogey at the 11th means he goes from seven-under to five-under.
He now shares the lead with amateur, David Howard, who is two-under through his first three holes of his second round.
Currently, just 15 players are under-par at that venue.
TOM LEWIS MOVES TO FIFTH
Back in 2011, Tom Lewis qualified for The Open via Final Qualifying, with the Englishman then sharing the lead after the first round.
Going on to finish T30th, earning low amateur honors in the process, he hasn't played in an Open Championship since 2019, but finds himself going well this time around.
Carding a five-under 67 first round at Royal Cinque Ports, he is one-under through 10 this afternoon and sits T5th alongside John Catlin.
THREE-WAY TIE FOR SECOND
Owen Edwards continues to lead at 10-under at Burnham & Berrow, where we now find three players sharing second spot.
Those three are Caleb Surratt, amateur Alejandro De Castro Piera and Austen Truslow, who are all eight-under.
Marcus Helligkilde is the sole player in fifth at seven-under.
CROWDS OUT FOR WESLEY BRYAN
AMATEUR LEADS AT DUNDONALD
And, just like that, it can all change!
Andrew Wilson had been leading by two at Dundonald Links, but it's now amateur David Howard who tops the standings, with a birdie at the fifth moving him to six-under.
Wilson sits solo second, while Jack McDonald and Marcus Plunkett are tied third at four-under.
In fifth, we find amateur Connor Graham and former DP World Tour winner Matthew Baldwin.
REMEMBER THIS?
Moment of magic at Final Qualifying.Tomorrow, Richard Teder returns to West Lancashire in search of another.There will be updates throughout the day, with the closing stages broadcast live on The R&A's YouTube channel. pic.twitter.com/bAR691YDJpJune 29, 2026
Estonian amateur, Richard Teder, produced the moment of Final Qualifying last year, via this holed out approach in a playoff that sent him to Royal Portrush.
Returning to West Lancs to try and qualify for The Open a second time, the amateur is currently in a four-way share of fourth at six-under.
FOUR AT THE TOP
Interesting development at Royal Cinque Ports, where four players find themselves at the top of the leaderboard at eight-under.
These are Peter Uihlein, Matthew Southgate, Baard Bjoernevik Skogen and MJ Daffue, who has made a hot start this afternoon, birdieing three of his opening five holes.
AND THE SAME STORY AT BURNHAM & BERROW
And we now have a four-way tie of the lead at Burnham & Berrow!
Edwards double bogeys the 13th and joins Caleb Surratt, Alejandro De Castro Piera (a) and Austen Truslow at eight-under-par!
That's really bunched up the leaderboard now, with 21 players sat three-under or better.
EDWARDS DROPS ANOTHER SHOT
Brutal few moments from Edwards at Burnham & Berrow, who bogeys the 14th to go from 10-under to seven-under in a matter of minutes.
He drops into a share of fourth alongside Marcus Helligkilde.
SOUTHGATE LEADS AT RCP
Southgate finished T6th at The Open Championship in 2017, but hasn't featured in a Major since 2024.
He's just birdied the 12th to move to nine-under, though, and leads at Royal Cinque Ports, breaking out of a four-way share at eight-under.
FROM BAD TO WORSE FOR SERGIO
He fired a four-under 68 first round, but Garcia is struggling this afternoon.
Through 10 holes, he is four-over for the round and level-par for the event.
The final spots are, currently, six-under, so work to be done for the Spaniard.
STRONG START FOR LEISHMAN
An excellent five-under 66 has put Marc Leishman in a strong position this afternoon, and the LIV Golfer has just birdied two of his first five holes to move to seven-under.
Currently, the six-time PGA Tour winner is in a share of fourth and looking good with plenty of golf to be played.
STILL TIGHT AT WEST LANCS
It's still the share of fourth spot that is catching the eyes at West Lancs, where five players currently sit six-under-par.
We would have a five-for-three playoff if it were to stay like this, with Wesley Bryan, Richard Teder (a) and Kazuma Kobori among the fivesome.
POOR EDWARDS
Just 45 minutes ago, Edwards was 10-under-par and two clear at Burnham & Berrow, but he has just dropped another shot to be six-under and two back of the leaders.
He's still sharing fifth, but with lots of golf left to go, you feel his race could be run...
HIDALGO MOVES UNDER-PAR
A DP World Tour winner, Angel Hidalgo moves under-par at Dundonald Links, but has work to do with a handful of holes left.
Currently, two players are at five-under and three are at four-under.
Scoring hasn't been strong in Scotland, but Hidalgo will need a fast finish to have any chance of qualifying, with the Spaniard playing the 16th.
CHARGES CONTINUE AT ROYAL CINQUE PORTS
Baard Bjoernevik Skogen ties the lead at Royal Cinque Ports, joining MJ Daffue at nine-under.
Southgate drops a shot and moves back to eight-under, while a notable name in Dean Burmester is mounting a charge this afternoon.
He topped the Final Qualifying standings last year, and is now five-under through 10 holes, sharing fifth at six-under overall.
RAIN TURNING AT WEST LANCS
Weather is coming in hard! pic.twitter.com/YvL71PCBviJune 30, 2026
EXCELLENT PIERA
Amateur Alejandro De Castro Piera cards a second round 69 and finishes his day at eight-under-par.
Currently, he is in a three-way share of the lead and two clear of three names at six-under.
He's in a strong position to qualify for what would be a first Major appearance.
AH, SOME RAIN
Having spent the last week or so melting at my desk in Formby, I'm finding the rain quite refreshing. It's lashing it down at West Lancs, which is just down the road.
Anyway, enough about the weather. David Howard is having a wonderful afternoon, and now holds the outright lead at Dundonald Links.
The Irishman made an eagle on the par-5 5th, along with birdies on the 3rd and 8th, which saw him to surge to the top.
At six-under-par, he leads three players - Matthew Baldwin, Jack McDonald and Marcus Plunkett - by two shots.
SENIOR IN CONTENTION
England's Jack Senior is going along nicely at Dundonald. His last Open Championship appearance was five years ago. Royal Birkdale is within touching distance. He's currently at two-under-par and in sixth place.
-7 GETTING IN AT ROYAL CINQUE PORTS
That's the situation down in the south east, where we have two tied at the top on -10, two at -8 and Ryan Lumsden at -7.
LEISHMAN ON THE MOVE
Down in the West Country, the Australian is just three shots back - and the name everyone will be looking at. A LIV golfer with plenty of Major Championship experience. Expect him to keep on moving up the leaderboard.
A SHOUT OUT TO ANDREW REYNOLDS
The former head pro at Royal Cinque Ports gets a shout out from comms team. The Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach, we can confirm, is an absolute legend.
It's where we find Matthew Southgate, who is handily placed at -8. A testing little putt from three feet upcoming.
PLAYOFF CHANCES
Not many people getting away. With the bunching that we have across each of the four venues, we think we could be in for at least a couple of playoffs. That's how it looks at then moment, anyway - a lot could change over the next couple of hours.
BACK TO WEST LANCS
Five players at -6 at the moment, with the top 5 to qualify from each of the four venues. That's why it's looking like a playoff at the moment. You'd definitely want to be in the clubhouse at West Lancs at the moment, because it's really wet out there.
SAFELY IN
Austen Truslow taps in for par at Burnham & Berrow's to finish on eight-under, good enough for a share of second at this moment in time. No caddie for the American this week. Who needs one of them, eh?
HOWARD EXTENDS HIS LEAD
Irish amateur David Howard from Fota Island now has a three-shot lead at Dundonald Links. He's made it to seven-under, with Matt Baldwin and Marcus Plunkett his closest rivals on four-under. That's a nice little cushion to have.
NICELY DONE, ALEJANDRO
Alejandro De Castro Piera has made light work of the conditions at Burnham & Berrow. The Spanish amateur is safely in the clubhouse with rounds of 65 and 69. As it stands, he's in a tie for second with Austen Truslow from America. It's looking good. Really good.
KOBORI GOING LOW
Make that seven-under for his second round, which is pretty good going at West Lancs, especially today. He's sitting alongside Tiger Christensen in second, and one behind Sam Bairstow.
SOUTHGATE LOOKING GOOD
Matthew Southgate's work is done. He finishes at -10. A good day's work from the veteran. It's hard to see that score not being good enough for a place at Royal Birkdale.
Lots going on - time for a leaderboard update as we near the business end of the day.
SCORING ERROR
We'll update the leaderboards now. -12 for Sam Easterbrook... that was an error. It did feel like he'd rather come out of nowhere.
SCOREBOARD UPDATE
Here 's how it looks at West Lancs.
-10 Samuel Bairstow
-9 Kazuma Kobori
-9 Tiger Christensen
-7 Giles Evans
-7 Adri Arnaus
-7 Matthew Jordan
-7 Wesley Bryan
-7 Samuel Potter
JORDAN SCRAPPING
What a putt from Matthew Jordan. Never looked like it was missing. How important might that putt be at the end of the day? -5 for round to an -8 overall (T4). Calmly done from about 20 feet.
JORDAN ON 18
Last hole. Driver. Anxious look. Not quite so many cameras for Final Qualifying as the 'main event'. Adds to the drama. We'll keep you updated on Jordan, who you'll remember from Hoylake, his home club, a few years ago.
YOUTUBER UPDATE
Wesley Bryan is also in the mix at West Lancs. He's not happy with his iron shot off the tee on 18. A nervy finish for the PGA Tour winner/content creator. Dundonald next...
HOWARD HOLDING ON
David Howard still holds the lead at Dundonald, but now it's just one. Things getting nervy... everywhere. A costly bogey from Wesley Bryan at the last.
SPARE A THOUGHT FOR WES
Head in hands after that bogey. Matthew Jordan, same hole, holds his nerve to finish at -8. That could/should be good enough. Poor Wesley will be feeling rather sick after that finish.
THINGS STARTING TO TAKE SHAPE
James Nicholas birdies the par-5 13th at Burnham & Berrow to move to 11-under-par. He leads by two.
Matthew Southgate, who has finished on 10-under-par at Royal Cinque Ports, has turned into a bit of a Final Qualifying specialist.
"Strap in and try and stay somewhere that's competitive," Southgate says. "I think I'm more emotional this time. It's amazing."
He says he played some really special golf at Royal Birkdale in 2017. He loves that place. He now has the opportunity to go back.
"I'm so excited to take mum and the family," he adds.
He's lost his dad since that last Open - so it's been an emotional day. Great memories and another great story. This is what Open Qualifying is about. Well played, Matt.
AUSTEN LOVING THE LINKS
It was really interesting to hear from Austen Truslow just now. "We had about six different seasons out here today," said the American. "We had wind, we had rain, we had sun, we had all sorts of wind directions, just true links golf."
He said it was always his dream to play in The Open. Keep an eye out for him at Royal Birkdale in a couple of weeks' time.
HOWARD SLIPPING
It wasn't that long ago that David Howard had a three-shot lead, but he's leaking oil right now. I'm not sure what happened at the 16th, but it can't have been good. If he can stay where he is at -4, he won't care too much. If.
THAT BOGEY FROM WES BRYAN
So, Wes Bryan dropped to seven-under at West Lancs with a bogey at the last to drop into a share of sixth. It looks like that's going to be very costly indeed.
Matthew Jordan, who was playing alongside the YouTube star, closed out with a par to remain on eight-under. Jordan shares fourth as it stands.
Charles Huntzinger, Samuel Potter and Joe Dean, who is on a birdie streak of three in three, are still out there on seven-under.
HERE'S HOW THINGS STAND
Hard to keep track across four venues as we near the business day of this 36-hole marathon. However, here we go...
A reminder than 20 Open places are up for grabs at Final Qualifying, five at each of the four venues.
In the north west, at West Lancs, Sam Bairstow leads the way on 10-under-par through 13 holes, with Kazuma Kobori and Tiger Christensen in the clubhouse one shot further back.
Down in Kent, at Royal Cinque Ports, Baard Bjoernevik Skogen is currently top of the standings with Matthew Southgate and MJ Daffue two shots further back and looking good.
American James Nicholas leads the way on 10-under at Burnham and Berrow with Caleb Surratt one adrift.
Meanwhile, at Dundonald Links, Jack McDonald is out in front with two holes to play, with Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin and Irish amateur David Howard one back.
It's tense.
NO GIVING UP
Some late charges at West Lancs. Joe Dean and José Luis Ballester Barrio have both moved to T4 at eight-under, with the former producing four birdies in a row to get himself right into the mix for a playoff spot.
As for Ballester Barrio, what a timely eagle at the par-5 16th. Wow. This is going to be tight.
DISASTER FOR BALLESTER
He is eight-under and in T4th, but Ballester is forced to hit a provisional at the final hole as he goes left!
Not sure if the ball is findable, but that will be costly, especially with the Spaniard currently sat inside the qualifying spots at West Lancs.
NEAR MISS FOR WESLEY BRYAN
🚨⛳️💔 #JUST IN — YouTube Golf Star and PGA Tour winner Wesley Bryan has failed to qualify for the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. He missed out at a playoff by one stroke at West Lancashire following this bogey on the 18th hole. pic.twitter.com/FK1YyWwnl4June 30, 2026
CLUTCH FROM ROZNER
Unreal finish from Antoine Rozner, who birdies two of his final three holes to jump from six-under to eight-under, which puts him solo fifth and one clear of John Gough!
Heartbreak for Gough and elation for Rozner, who has all-but secured a spot at The Open Championship.
CONGRATS JAMES NICHOLAS
Nicholas pars the final hole at Burnham & Berrow and tops the leaderboard at 10-under. Rounds of 65 and 67 means he will compete at his first Open Championship!
BAIRSTOW TOPS WEST LANCS
He's dominated the afternoon, and Bairstow fires rounds of 66 and 68 to finish 10-under and top the standings at West Lancs.
Four players are confirmed at that venue, with Bairstow, Kazuma Kobori, Jose Luis Ballester and Tiger Christensen finishing in the top four.
In fairness to Ballester, he made an unbelievable birdie after it seemed that his ball was lost off the tee.
As of writing, amateur Sam Easterbrook, Matthew Jordan and Joe Dean share fifth, meaning we'll have a three-for-one playoff.
DUNDONALD REMAINS TIGHT
The top three are in the clubhouse and are guaranteed to be in the top five, with Jack McDonald five-under, while Matthew Baldwin and David Howard (a) four-under.
As of writing, Nevill Ruiter (a) and Marcus Plunkett occupy the final two spots at three-under, and are heading down the last now.
ROYAL CINQUE PORTS CONFIRMED
Baard Bjoernevik Skogen and MJ Daffue finish 12-under and share the top spot, with Matthew Southgate (-10), Peter Uihlein (-9) and Antoine Rozner (-8) claiming their places at The Open Championship.
Impressively, it's the sixth time that Southgate has qualified for the Major via Final Qualifying.
PLAYOFF IMMINENT AT WEST LANCS
Second rounds are complete at West Lancs, with amateur Sam Easterbrook, Matthew Jordan and Joe Dean heading for a playoff after the trio finished eight-under and shared fifth.
DUNDONALD LINKS QUALIFIERS CONFIRMED
What a day at Dundonald Links, where some surprising names earned their places at Royal Birkdale.
Jack McDonald topped the leaderboard at five-under, with Matthew Baldwin and amateur David Howard finishing four-under.
In terms of the remaining players, amateur Nevil Ruiter finished three-under, while Marcus Plunkett also finished on that number.
The five men will head to The Open Championship.
PETER FINCH REACTS AFTER WESLEY NEAR MISS
Wow, I can’t believe what I’ve witnessed today 😳😳I had the chance to caddie for @wesleybryangolf in Final Open Qualifying, and it reminded me just how brutal and brilliant golf can be!The conditions threw absolutely everything at us. Sunshine, driving rain, wind… it felt… pic.twitter.com/5Mk5SgH7VcJune 30, 2026
BRT NEEDS A GOOD FINISH
Royal Cinque Ports and Dundonald Links are all-but set, but there is a chance Burnham & Berrow could change, with Brandon Robinson-Thompson six-under through 14.
He needs to birdie two of his final four holes to join those at eight-under, which would force a four-for-three playoff.
As of writing, Tom Sloman, Alejandro De Castro Piera and Austen Truslow occupy the final three spots and they will be watching the Englishman's remaining few holes with interest.
BALDWIN WILL PLAY A HOME OPEN
Chasing a place on home turf. Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin is in contention at Final Qualifying, hoping to tee it up in The 154th Open. Follow live: https://t.co/TGg4psVQwg pic.twitter.com/Ok0VjCVF8oJune 30, 2026
PLAYOFF INCOMING
West Lancs' playoff is about to start, with the 10th hole being the choice for Sam Easterbrook (a), Matthew Jordan and Joe Dean.
TEE SHOTS
Easterbrook pounds his driver down the middle at the 390-yard hole, with the amateur hitting a peach.
Jordan, meanwhile, hits a driving iron well left, while Dean follows Easterbrook with an excellent drive.
Advantage goes to Easterbrook and Dean.
BRT BIRDIES
There's one...
Robinson-Thompson needs to find two birdies in his last four holes at Burnham & Berrow and, at the 15th, he sneaks in a birdie to move to seven-under.
One more gets him in a playoff, while two birdies puts him in a share of second with Caleb Surratt at nine-under.
PUTTS FOR THE WIN
At West Lancs, Jordan pulls it left and just finds the green with his approach. He will have around 40-feet for birdie.
In terms of Dean and Easterbrook, who both found the fairway, it's the latter who plays the best approach.
Dean comes up 20-feet short of the flag, while Easterbrook goes 15-feet past. It will comes down to the putters.
JORDAN AND DEAN MISS
Jordan hits a great putt that finishes inside gimme range, while Dean leaves his birdie putt short.
Easterbrook will have a chance to secure a spot at The Open Championship.
HE MISSES
It's a nice roll from amateur, Easterbrook, but his attempt slides by, with all three men making par.
We will now head down the 18th.
THOMPSON NEEDS TO BIRDIE THE LAST
Parring the 16th and 17th, Robinson-Thompson needs to birdie the last to get to eight-under, which would force a four-for-three playoff.
Tense times at Burnham & Berrow.
WE AGREE
My brain hurts and my feet hurt but my gosh what a day.June 30, 2026
BRT WILL HAVE 15-FEET FOR BIRDIE
This is going down to the wire, with Robinson-Thompson leaving 15-feet for birdie at the last.
If he makes it, we will have a playoff at Burnham & Berrow... If he doesn't, we'll have our five players confirmed.
FAIRWAY FOUND AT WEST LANCS
Easterbrook, Jordan and Dean have found the fairway down the last at West Lancs.
Easterbrook is on the left-side, while Dean is on the right and Jordan down the middle.
Dean will hit in first, followed by Easterbrook, followed by Jordan.
BRT MISSES AT THE LAST
Brandon Robinson-Thompson misses his birdie attempt and Burnham & Berrow's results are confirmed.
James Nicholas tops the standings at 10-under. Caleb Surratt will make a second Major appearance, after he finished nine-under, while Tom Sloman, Alejandro De Castro Piera (a) and Austen Truslow finish eight-under.
UNREAL FROM MATTHEW JORDAN
What a shot from Jordan at the 18th!
Dean hits the back of the green, while Easterbrook flies it over the back.
The door is ajar, and Jordan smashes through it, with an incredible wedge shot that finishes inches away from the hole.
That could have been an eagle, but instead it's a tap-in birdie for the Englishman.
JORDAN DOES IT
The second shot deserved it, and Matthew Jordan books his place at Royal Birkdale.
Both Dean and Easterbrook came close, with their putts narrowly missing, but a tap-in birdie means Jordan will play a fifth straight Open Championship.
He joins Sam Bairstow (-10), Kazuma Kobori (-9), Jose Luis Ballester (-9) and Tiger Christensen (-9) in advancing from West Lancashire.
THE 20 SPOTS ARE CONFIRMED
And, just like that, Open Championship Final Qualifying is over. What a day we had!
YOUR QUALIFIERS
BURNHAM & BERROW
James Nicholas (-10), Caleb Surratt (-9), Tom Sloman (-8), Alejandro De Castro Piera (a) (-8) and Austen Truslow (-8)
DUNDONALD LINKS
Jack McDonald (-5), Matthew Baldwin (-4), David Howard (a) (-4), Nevil Ruiter (a) (-3), Marcus Plunkett (-3)
ROYAL CINQUE PORTS
Baard Bjoernevik Skogen (-12), MJ Daffue (-12), Matthew Southgate (-10), Peter Uihlein (-9), Antoine Rozner (-8)
WEST LANCASHIRE
Sam Bairstow (-10), Kazuma Kobori (-9), Jose Luis Ballester Barrio (-9), Tiger Christensen (-9), Matthew Jordan (-8)*
*advanced via 3-for-1 playoff
MAGIC JORDAN
This is the magic of Final Qualifying. Matthew Jordan delivers when it matters most to secure his place in The 154th Open. pic.twitter.com/VtGKJHS1HaJune 30, 2026
WESLEY REACTION
I have missed competing. Today was fun….until that last putt missed 🤦🏻♂️June 30, 2026
WINNERS AND GRINNERS
HOME HERO
Congratulations, Matt 👏@mattbaldwin26 secures his place at Royal Birkdale, where he'll get to tee it up in front a home crowd 🤩 pic.twitter.com/sjOuxaplGsJune 30, 2026
BIG NAMES MISS OUT
Along with the winners, there were also several notable names who weren't able to punch their ticket to Royal Birkdale.
Sergio Garcia, the Bryan Bros and Matt Wallace were just some of the individuals, with a full list found here...
THAT'S IT FOR ANOTHER YEAR
And, just like that, that's Open Final Qualifying done for another year.
Congratulations to all 20 qualifiers, and we look forward to seeing you at Royal Birkdale on July 13-19th.
Thank you for tuning in and I bid you farewell!
