More than 130 professionals and top amateurs will take on the challenge of Goswick Golf Links on Monday in hopes of advancing to finals qualifying for the 150th Open Championship to be played on the Old Course in St Andrews in July.
This represents a record field for Goswick, designated by the R&A as a regional qualifying venue through 2024. The James Braid masterpiece, ranked in the top 50 in England by National Club Golfer and the 70th best links course in Great Britain & Ireland by Today’s Golfer, will welcome players from 13 different countries. Notables include Michael Kanev of Bulgaria, Benjamin Yap of Malaysia and Fadhli Soetarso of Indonesia.
Another competitor worth keeping an eye on is Ross Crowe, who hit the opening tee shot in last year’s regional qualifying at St Annes and then — 15 hours later — emerged from a playoff to advance to finals qualifying.
And there’ll be three brothers in the field: Lloyd, Zack and Elliot Saltman. Lloyd was the Silver Medal winner as the low amateur at The Open at St Andrews in 2005, finishing tied for 15th. He also qualified for The Open in 2009 and 2013. Elliot played alongside Lloyd at Turnberry in 2009 and was also in the field of The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012. Zack, the youngest of the three brothers, is looking to secure his first Open start.
The first group tees off at 6:45 a.m. and the last at 2:25 p.m. The full draw can be found by clicking here. Spectators are very welcome. No tickets required. This is your chance to see some first-rate golf played on an authentic links course, up close and personal.