Three Golfers Secure Late Entries Into the Open After Dramatic Finish in Scottish Open
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Bildnummer: 04345461 Datum: 11.03.2009 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI Silhouette von Tiger Woods (USA) während die Sonne aufgeht - PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY (Icon3690903111511); Eldrick, Vdig, quer, Aufmacher, premiumd, Symbol, Sonne, Sonnenlicht, Sonnenschein, Gegenlicht, Sunrise, Sonnenaufgang, Sunset, Sundown, Sonnenuntergang, Morgengrauen, Golfer, Golfspieler, WGC CA Championship 2009, PGA Tour, Training Doral / Miami Golf Herren Einzel Gruppenbild Aktion Werbemotiv Personen Image number 04345461 date 11 03 2009 Copyright imago Icon Smi Silhouette from Tiger Woods USA during The Sun concurrently PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Eldrick Vdig horizontal Highlight premiumd symbol Sun Sunlight Sunshine Gegenlicht Sunrise Sunrise Sunset Sundown Sunset Dawn Golfers Golfer WGC Approx Championship 2009 PGA Tour Training Doral Miami Golf men Singles Group photo Action shot Highlight Human Beings
Johnny Keefer, Michael Thorbjornsen and Victor Perez earned the final qualifying spots at The Open. And none of them will forget how close it got.
The Open confirmed the trio's qualification Sunday on X. "Smile if you've just qualified for The 154th Open," the official account posted. "
Johnny Keefer, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Victor Perez have booked their places at Royal Birkdale through their finishes at the Genesis Scottish Open."
The Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian, Scotland, served as the last Open Qualifying Series event before The 154th Open Championship. Three places were on offer to the highest-placed finishers not already exempt for Royal Birkdale.
Keefer finished in a tie for third at 13 under par and will make his Open debut at Southport. Thorbjornsen will also play in the Championship for the first time after finishing in a tie for seventh. Perez, who has two previous Open appearances to his name, finished tied for ninth. This is to earn his return to the major, per The Open's official qualification tracker.
For Keefer and Thorbjornsen, the moment carried extra weight. Both Americans head to Links Golf's biggest stage for the very first time.
One Round, One Spot: The Final Open Place Up for Grabs Monday at Birkdale
The final spot in the 156-man Open field is being determined at Royal Birkdale on Monday, July 13, through a Last-Chance Qualifier.
Twelve players compete in an 18-hole stroke play contest for the one remaining place, per Golf Channel.
Amateur Championship runner-up Matt Moloney opens alongside Andrew Wilson and Adri Arnaus at 7:30 a.m. One round separates them from a place at The Open.
Keefer, 25, came to The Renaissance Club as one of the PGA Tour's top young players. He finished first on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour points list with a record scoring average of 67.95, breaking Luke Guthrie's 2012 record.
The 154th Open Championship begins at Royal Birkdale on July 17.
What do you think? Can any of the three late qualifiers make a run at Royal Birkdale? Let us know in the comments!
Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar