Matthias Schmid

Winner of the European Amateur title in 2019 and 2020. His first success came in Austria by three strokes from Scot Euan Walker and he then retained the trophy by the same margin from fellow German Nick Bachem in Switzerland in September, holding at least a share of the lead after each of the four rounds to earn himself a second appearance at The Open.

He missed the halfway cut by four at Royal Portrush in 2019 on what was also his first start in a European Tour event. Previous European Amateur champions include Ryder Cup quartet Sergio Garcia, Stephen Gallacher, Rory McIlroy and Victor Dubuisson, but England’s Ashley Chesters (2013-14) is the only other player to make a successful defence.

Schmid also made his mark at the event in 2017, posting a nine-under 63 in the second round at Walton Heath en route to finishing seventh.

He has attended the University of Louisville and in the 2019-20 season had a 69.91 scoring average, the second best in their history. He also made it through to the last 16 of the 2019 Amateur Championship and has reached as high as 12th on the World Amateur Golf Rankings.