Scotland Irving – Lee Westwood won the Open 70-67 in Dundonald’s link, his first major since joining Saudi-raised Liv Golf three years ago.
Westwood is one of 20 players who won the Royal Portrait through the final regional qualifiers, holding four courses in England and Scotland, each awarded five seats. He is one of 15 LIV players to compete in the qualifiers.
Westwood, a 52-year-old from England, won 25 titles on the European Tour and won three class-out titles, leading five qualifiers with Dundonald, who was under 7 in 137.
“I keep saying it’s the greatest champion on the golf course and you’ve got amazing support as a British player,” Westwood said. “I’m just looking forward to enjoying a week in Protush, meeting some old friends and enjoying that golf course.”
The Open is from July 17-20 at Royal Prothush in Northern Ireland, with Shane Lowry winning in 2019. Westwood was hit one shot on the 36-hole lead before ranking for the fourth time, nine strokes behind Lowry.
The qualifying roster includes Richard Teder, who will become the first player in Estonia to compete in the oldest golf champion. Just got there and had a great journey. Teder will be one of the five qualifiers in West Lancashire until the double taboo on the last hole.
This put him into the four-man playoffs for the last two seats, while Teder hangs out from the Eagle on the fairway, ensuring his position.
Two other LIV golfers, Australia’s Lucas Herbert and South Africa’s Dean Burmester also won the attractions in the Open. Herbert led the qualifiers in West Lancashire, while Burmester led the lead at Royal Cinque Ports.
Graeme McDowell, who grew up in Protush, was one of five LIV players who missed the Royal Cinque Terre. These include Ian Poulter and his 21-year-old son Luke, who played in Florida and replaced at the U.S. Open last month.
The other seven LIV players were not successful, either completing outside the top five or exiting midway through the round. The other three quit before they start. Liv Golf held a match in Dallas on Sunday, and players had to fly straight to the UK to qualify.
Westwood was ranked No. 1 in the world by the end of 2010. He was once considered a player of the best to never win a professional, twice finished runner-up in the Masters and lost the playoffs at the US Open (2008 at Torrey Pines) and the UK Open (2009 at Turnberry).
The Associated Press information is used in this report.
