Qualifiers for all 2026 Signature Events, THE PLAYERS and majors

Whether you’re a four-time winner with two trophies on the season like Chris Gotterup or a winless veteran in his 120th start on the PGA TOUR like Ben Kohles, winning never is easy. Not only is that one of the reasons why being a professional golfer can be a lucrative career decision, but it’s also why pressure and emotion surge to the surface when everything is on the line, no matter who you are.

All of that is obvious to any fan who’s devoted even a modicum of time to the sport, but the theater generated by those intangibles never isn’t compelling, and it was on display in the final round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run on Sunday.

Gotterup closed with a bogey-free, 9-under 62 to hang a 20-under 264 on the board. Because he was in the sixth-to-last threesome, he loitered on the range and even hit a few balls to stay warm and loose.

Ultimately, the only other in the field with a chance to win outright or force a playoff was Kohles, but the 36-year-old pulled his approach at the par-4 18th hole into the water and settled for a double bogey to finish in a three-way tie for third. Pressure is as much of a privilege as it is punishing. Just ask Kohles.

Gotterup struggled getting through his live, post-tournament interview on CBS without tearing up, but he’s known for that. That was the other endpoint of the spectrum in plain sight in the Quad Cities.

An exemption into The Open Championship wasn’t at stake at TPC Deere Run, but Gotterup already qualified for The Open long ago, anyway, and he already had secured starts in the 2027 editions of THE PLAYERS Championship, Masters and PGA Championship – exemptions that were up for grabs – but his third win this season extends his PGA TOUR membership exemption as a winner through 2030.

Earlier on Sunday, five of the exemptions into The Open were determined via the DP World Tour.

Once the BMW International Open concluded, the top five players – not already eligible for the major – inside the top 20 of the Race to Dubai gained entry. The cohort was led by Jayden Schaper at No. 4. Just as he did at the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open in the last two months, the 25-year-old South African will be making his tournament debut in The Open at Royal Birkdale.

Thirty-nine-year-old Andy Sullivan and 41-year-old Bernd Wiesberger followed at Nos. 7 and 8, respectively. Sullivan hasn’t qualified for The Open since 2021, while Wiesberger will be making his first appearance since 2022. Both cashed the last time that Royal Birkdale hosted in 2017.

Rounding out the set, 26-year-old Dan Bradbury (No. 9) will make his third appearance, while Hennie Du Plessis (No. 10), 29, will be a debutant.

Four automatic exemptions remain for The Open, while The R&A this week is expected to announce the grouping that will help fill the field of 156. The governing body of the major will use the updated Official World Golf Ranking (through July 5) in order of position to determine the qualifiers. Those immediately outside the cutoff will serve as alternates, also in order of their ranking.

NOTE: Until all methods of entry are released by the governing bodies, traditional criteria are used to determine qualifiers. Refer to remaining qualifying criteria at the bottom of the page for details.

OPEN = The Open Championship

Recent additions

OPEN -- Dan Bradbury; Hennie du Plessis; Jayden Schaper; Andy Sullivan; Bernd Wiesberger

NOTE: Golfers are omitted if they haven’t competed recently in majors for which they are eligible (e.g., The Open Championship = Paul Lawrie).

REMAINING QUALIFYING CRITERIA

• Criteria are listed in chronological order where possible. Best estimates are given but all are subject to change.

The Open Championship (OPEN) at Royal Birkdale Golf Club – July 16-19

• Top three, not otherwise exempt, who make the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open (July 12).
• Winner of the Last-Chance Qualifier (July 13).