George Bloor

George Bloor was ranked 840th in the world when he recorded successive rounds of 69 in Final Qualifying at West Lancashire to take the third of five Royal Portrush spots up for grabs.  

It looked as if he might have to go into a five-man play-off for three places, but then came a birdie at the 16th and two closing pars to clinch his Open Championship debut.

Currently competes on the second tier HotelPlanner Tour – previously known as the Challenge circuit – and had his best finish there in February last year when he tied for fifth at the SDC Open in South Africa.

Then came joint eighth in the Czech Republic’s Kaskada Challenge in June and this March was in a share of seventh spot at the Kolkata Challenge in India.

Turned professional seven years ago and now lives in Buxton, Derbyshire, where he is a member of the Cavendish club designed by Alister MacKenzie, the creator of Augusta National.