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The Open Qualifying Series
09 June 2019
McDowell Qualifies
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Graeme McDowell will return home to compete at The 148th Open
Adam Hadwin and Graeme McDowell have secured their places in The 148th Open after qualifying at the RBC Canadian Open.
The RBC Canadian Open was played at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club and was the sixth event in The Open Qualifying Series, which gives golfers around the world opportunities to book their place at Royal Portrush from 14-21 July 2019.
It was the first time that the PGA TOUR event has featured in the Series and three places were available to the leading players who finished in the top 10 and ties who were not already exempt.
The championship was won by 2014 Champion Golfer Rory McIlroy who posted a 22-under-par total of 258 to lift the trophy for the first time.
He was already exempt for The Open alongside seven other golfers who finished in the top 10 places, including Shane Lowry, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar, Sungjae Im, Danny Willett and 2016 Champion Golfer Henrik Stenson.
Hadwin claimed the first available qualifying place after finishing alone in sixth place ten shots further back from McIlroy on a 12-under-par total of 268.
The Canadian played steady golf throughout today’s final round to post an even-par round of 70 and will now take his place in The Open for the third year running after previously qualifying to play at Royal Birkdale and Carnoustie.
McDowell put himself into contention to qualify for The Open after back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th holes propelled the Northern Irishman into the top 10 of the leaderboard.
Despite finding the rough twice on the 72nd hole, the Portrush-born 39-year-old recovered to sink a 30ft putt for par and clinch the second available qualifying place after finishing in a tie for eighth place on a 10-under-par total of 270.
He will now tee it up at Royal Portrush in front of a passionate home crowd when The Open returns to the famous Dunluce links next month for the first time in 68 years.
“I feel hugely relieved. It’s going to feel epic on that first tee. The fans are going to offer huge support and they are excited to have the best players in the world come to Portrush. It’s going to be very special.” Graeme McDowell
“I’ve heard the Irish fans are absolutely incredible and that they love their golf. The fans have been so supportive during the previous two times I’ve played in The Open. They really appreciate good golf so I’m really looking forward to it. ” Adam hadwin
No golfer was able to claim the third available qualifying place with Sebastian Munoz, Wes Roach and Cameron Tringale narrowly missing out after finishing in a tie for 11th place on a nine-under-par total of 271.
The next event in The Open Qualifying Series is the KOLON Korea Open which will be played at Woo Jeong Hills from 20-23 June.
