Curtis Knipes

Was joint winner with Callum Shinkwin of the 36-hole Final Qualifying event at Prince’s on July 2, one of three amateurs to survive as 288 players did battle over four courses for 12 places at Royal Portrush.

The 18-year-old England boys international from Toot Hill in Essex, a member of the Chelmsford club, Knipes had scores of 67 and 68 for a nine under par total of 135. Three birdies in a row to end the front nine in the second round put him into contention, two more came at the 15th and 16th and after bogeying the next he showed his nerve by getting up and down for a par from 100 yards on the last after driving into sand.

“I’m lost for words,” he said. “It’s huge to get into The Open, the best competition in the world. I wasn’t that nervous, I had nothing to lose. It didn’t feel any different from normal, but a few putts started dropping. I played at Royal Portrush last year in the Boys Amateur and got to the last 16. It’s so tough, but spectacular.” Was Essex champion in 2017 and 2018 and also last year became England Champion of Champions..