Hartlepool’s Alex Wrigley and former Durham-based pro Rob Dinwiddie will be part of the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews after making it through Final Qualifying.
They’ll be joined in the field for the final men’s major championship of 2022 by Howley Hall-based DP World Tour player Marcus Armitage and Matthew Jordan, who will have Northern Golfer columnist Chris Simmons on the bag at St Andrews.
Sixteen players from a starting field of 288 at four venues qualified for The Open.
At Fairmont St Andrews, Rob earned a place in The Open for the first time since 2017 at Royal Birkdale. The three-time Challenge Tour winner finished on three-under-par in second place at the Fife venue.
Meanwhile, Alex and Holland’s Lars Van Meijel emerged from a three-way playoff with Aaron Rai as the trio competed for the final two of the four places available at Fairmont.
Marcus earned his spot at St Annes Old Links with two rounds of 68, as Matthew posted a seven under-par total to finish a shot behind and earn his place in The Open.
Rob said: “To play in any Open at St Andrews is special, but for the 150th is extremely special. When I got in my first Open in 2015 at St Andrews that was amazing. After not having a whole lot of success over the last few years, it’s nice to make it through.”
Alex added: “It’s so surreal to be heading to St Andrews. Tiger is in the field and a lot of people I look up to – It’s going to be so much fun to share it with my family and all my friends.
“I think I have got through Regional Qualifying three times and have been through to Final Qualifying automatically three or four times. I was very lucky to have a good back nine at Regional and get to Fairmont as a reserve.
“Like everybody, when I practise, I always have putts to win The Open. I just tried to use my nerves as a positive in the playoff. I just wanted to give myself a chance. I didn’t want to make it easy for the other guys. When Aaron left his putt short, I grabbed the opportunity.”
