Deyen Lawson qualified for the Open Championship for the first time in his career after finishing as the front-runner in qualifying at Prince’s Golf Club, which adjoins Royal St George’s. The Victorian, who goes by the nickname ‘Digger’, followed up a two-under par 70 that mixed six birdies and four bogeys with a second-round 71 to finish on three-under 141.
Twelve players from a starting field of 288 at four venues in England qualified for golf’s original championship through Final Qualifying and will now take their places at the famous Kent links.
“I’m over the moon,” Lawson said. “I’ve never played a Major and it’s been a goal of mine for quite a while – since I was a little kid really watching golf and seeing the best players in the world play in Majors. To be able to qualify for this it is amazing.
“You try not to think about it and just try and stay in the moment, which I thought I was really quite good at today. It’s good to look over and see Royal St George’s – but I was more looking at it as a fan. But now obviously I can go over and play it – which will be nice.
“You think about the players that have won The Open and the players that have played. It’s one of the biggest tournaments in the world and it will be great to play.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier enjoyed one of the best days of his golf career to book a place in the 149th Open.
Hillier led the qualifiers at Hollinwell Golf Club after clinching a birdie on the final hole to edge out local member Jonathan Thomson with a 11-under par total of 133. He topped the leaderboard one shot clear of English pairing Sam Forgan and Connor Worsdall who secured the two remaining qualifying places available today at the Kent links, only a short distance from where The Open will be played next month.
The Kiwi started the event in ominous form with an eight-under par 64, which tied the course record, and included a remarkable run of five birdies from the 13th hole in among a total of ten for the round. A three-under 69 ensured Hillier qualified for The Open and he will make his second appearance in a Major championship after the US Open.
Thomson delighted the small band of members following his progress and he pressed home advantage to seal the second qualifying place on 10-under. The Englishman, who best finish on the European Tour was a tied-second place in the Made In Denmark three years ago, will also debut at Royal St George’s after rounds of 69 and 65 on his home patch.
Richard Mansell finished one shot further back on nine-under-par to also secure a first ever berth in The Open. A 68 and 67 was enough for the Englishman, who has a win on the EuroPro Tour to his name, to book his place at Royal St George’s.
But the day belonged to Hillier.
“I’ve got goosebumps hearing that [I’ve qualified], which pretty much sums it up,” he said. “It’s been a pretty crazy day. I got pretty hot on the back nine in the morning and held on through the front nine in the afternoon, then picked up a few birdies coming home which was really nice.
“It wasn’t the best preparation for me. I came over from France yesterday and got the practice round in, finished it about 8 o’clock and missed out holes one, two and three. It’s funny how golf works – the preparation you put in doesn’t always coincide with the result.
“It’s pretty awesome to equal the course record here – I had no idea while I was playing. I got on a good run and just tried to keep it going as long as I could.
“I saw that big scoreboard on the 16th green and saw I had a bit of a buffer. I played 17 a bit scrappily but managed to make par there and it was nice to get an approach on the last and putt in.
“My dad [in New Zealand] was up to see the end of my first round, which was pretty cool. He sent me a message saying keep going, keep your head down and I’m sure the majority of my friends and family are just waking up now – I’m looking forward to talking to them about it. It’s a shame they can’t come over for The Open but I’m sure they’ll be following closely.
“It’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to play in Major championships, and this will be my second one, so I’m really excited to get into it.”