How does Open Championship qualifying work?

The oldest of the four majors, The Open has been contested since 1860.

Named 'The Open' due to its openness to both professionals and amateurs, the event is largely contested by leading professionals, with a handful of amateurs able to qualify or receive invitations.

A number of players will receive invitations without having to qualify, either via their world rankings (top 50 for week 21 of the season), winning recent majors or having won The Open previously while being under 55 amongst others.

For those not already exempt, there is the Open Qualifying Series, which makes up around 22% of the field, as well as Local and Final Qualifying, which makes up around 8% of the field.

Open Qualifying Series

Throughout the season, 11 events across various golf tours make up the Open Qualifying Series, where the top finishers who aren't already exempt can secure their path to The Open.

In total, 24 players will qualify via the Open Qualifying Series.

Local and Final Qualifying

Nearly 2,000 players compete at 15 courses around Great Britain and Ireland at Local Qualifying for the chance to compete at Final Qualifying.

Bearwood Lakes, Caldy, Craigielaw, Enville, Ferndown, Frilford Heath, Fulford, Gog Magog, Hesketh, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Lindrick, Moor Park, North Hants, Rochester & Cobham Park and The Island were the 15 venues for Regional Qualifying.

Top finishers at those venues reached Final Qualifying, which takes place on 1st July at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire.

The 131 players will be joined by some of golf's top names who are not yet exempt from the tournament. Those who can advance straight to Final Qualifying include but are not limited to:

- Past champions of The Open;
- Any competitor with an Official World Golf Ranking in the top 1,000 and ties on the date of entry;
- Past champions of the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship;
- Anyone who played in last held edition of the Open;
- Past playing members of Ryder and Presidents Cup Teams;
- The leading 10 World Amateur Golf Ranking players, not otherwise exempt as at calendar week 21;

Competing in 2025 Final Qualifying are the likes of Lee Westwood, Danny Willett, Paul Casey, Abraham Ancer, Chris Wood, Anirban Lahiri, Harry Hall, Adrian Meronk, Branden Grace, Graeme McDowell, Erik van Rooyen, Ian Poulter, David Puig, Dean Burmester, Eddie Pepperell, Alex Fitzpatrick and Jamie Donaldson.

Five Open spots are available at each venue.

Liam Williams

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