Jesper Sandborg

Jesper Sandborg was ranked 761st in the world when he took the fourth of five Royal Portrush places on offer in the 36-hole Final Qualifying competition at Dundonald Links on 1 July.  

Was in second spot after an opening four-under-par 68 and his afternoon 71 left him only two shots behind winner Lee Westwood. Has had 10 victories since leaving the amateur ranks in 2014, but all in minor leagues.

Perhaps most notably he topped the Nordic Order of Merit last season and capturing the Swedish PGA title earned him a start on the HotelPlanner – formerly Challenge – Tour, where he finished runner-up only a single stroke behind Joakim Lagergren, a winner on the DP World Tour.

He has made 11 starts on that circuit, while in this March’s Delhi Challenge he shared the first-round lead after a seven-under-par 65, was still tied for top spot at halfway, but then fell away to joint 19th over the weekend. Is now playing the first major of his career at the age of 32.