Four PGA TOUR events set for Open Qualifying Series
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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 19: A flag on the sixth green is seen during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 19, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images)
The R&A announced today which tournaments will be part of The Open Qualifying Series for the 149th Open Championship at Royal St. George’s.
On the PGA TOUR, they are:
The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 5-8). The tournament will send the leading three players, not otherwise exempt, finishing in the top 10 and ties. The Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill was a qualifying site last year, and sent Keith Mitchell, Sungjae Im and Sung Kang to The Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
The RBC Canadian Open (June 11-14) will send the leading three players, not otherwise exempt, finishing in the top 10 and ties. This was a Qualifying Series site last year, too, which made news when Graeme McDowell tied for eighth to earn a spot in the field. With The Open returning to his home country of Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years, he had been vocal about his desire not to miss it. Adam Hadwin (sixth place) also qualified in Canada.
The Travelers Championship (June 25-28) will send the leading two players, not otherwise exempt, finishing in the top eight and ties. The Travelers wasn’t used last season and replaces the Rocket Mortgage Classic, where Nate Lashley and Doc Redman earned spots in the field last year.
The John Deere Classic (July 9-12) will get its customary last spot in the Series. The leading player, not otherwise exempt, finishing in the top five and ties will earn a spot in the field at Royal St. George’s. Last season this spot went to John Deere winner Dylan Frittelli of South Africa.
The Open Qualifying Series was introduced in 2014 to ensure access to players from around the globe into The Open, which bills itself as the most international of the majors. The Series this year will visit seven professional tours in 11 countries across five continents.
The first chance for players to earn their way into the 2020 Open Championship will be at the Emirates Australian Open, the week before the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, Dec. 12-15.
Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, a rising star on the PGA TOUR who will represent the International Team at the Presidents Cup, qualified for The Open by winning in Australia last year.