The R&A has introduced an exclusive form of qualification for the Open Championship this year, with the debut of the Last-Chance Qualifier, offering 12 selected golfers a final opportunity to earn their spot in the sport’s oldest major championship.
Held at Royal Birkdale on Monday, July 13, during Championship week, 12 players will compete in an 18-hole stroke play event with a chance to lift the Claret Jug on the line.
If the leading players are tied after 18-holes, they will compete in a hole-by-hole sudden death playoff until a champion is determined.
Tee times and groups for the event are set to be announced on Saturday, July 11, with the qualifier following a format of four three-ball matches.
Aimed at providing the attending fans with drama and excitement throughout the week, the event is set to take place at 7.30 am on the Monday of Championship week, running alongside the day’s scheduled practice rounds.
The 12 participants were selected via one of five categories, announced by the R&A in December of 2025. The field was determined following the conclusion of Final Open Qualifying on Tuesday, 30th of June.
Who is in the field for the Last Chance Qualifier?
The 12-man field comprises competitors from the four Final Qualifying venues who narrowly missed out on outright qualification for the 154th Open.
YouTube Golf sensation and former RBC Heritage champion Wesley Bryan leads the field after he narrowly missed out on a playoff at West Lancashire. He is joined by former Amateur Champion Aldrich Potgeiter and 2021 Open Low Amateur Matti Schmid.
Joining them in the field, the full list of the 12 competitors who chose to accept an invitation to compete in the qualifier includes: Aldrich Potgeiter, Matti Schmid, Matt Moloney (a), Joe Dean, Sam Easterbrook (a), Adri Arnaus, John Gough, Angel Hidalgo, Charles Huntzinger, Marcus Helligkilde, Andrew Wilson and Wesley Bryan.
What are the criteria for qualification?
In December, the R&A announced a list of criteria for a place in the Last Chance Open Qualifier, with players given invites to the events based on the category they fell into. The ranked list of categories for qualification includes:
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- The leading two players in the Official World Golf Rankings by Monday 6th of July, who were not otherwise exempt into the 154th Open.
- The runner-up in the 2026 Amateur Championship, held in June at Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire. This player was only invited if they still hold amateur status.
- Players who competed in a playoff at any of the four Final Qualifying venues who were unsuccessful in qualifying to the 154th Open.
- Players who finished one position behind those who secured a position in the 154th Open via Final Qualifying.
- Players who finished in a tie for a qualification spot via the Open Qualifying Series but did not secure a place due to a lower position in the OWGR or by losing a playoff for 1st position in an OQS event.
How can I attend the Last Chance Open Qualifier?
Given the Last-Chance Qualifier takes place at Royal Birkdale during Championship week, anyone with a General Admission ticket to Monday’s practice round will be able to watch the event take place. The opening tee-time takes place at 7.30 am.
Tickets are available on the Open website to allow fans to attend Monday’s practice round. They are priced at £40 for those aged 25 or over, £20 for fans between 16-24 and free for anyone under the age of 16.
NOW READ: Who earned a spot at The Open Championship through Final Qualifying?
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