Sam Bairstow

Bairstow returns for a third Open appearance after another successful visit to Final Qualifying.

On this occasion, the left-hander finished top of the leaderboard with a 10-under aggregate from 36 holes at West Lancashire, having previously qualified as an amateur at St Annes Old Links in 2021 and 2022.

Bairstow's second progression from Final Qualifying four years ago was particularly impressive given it came soon after he had lost the final of The Amateur Championship to Aldrich Potgieter, therefore missing out on places at The Open and the following year's Masters and US Open.

In addition to playing golf's original championship on two occasions before turning professional, Bairstow has twice qualified for the US Open - in 2024 and 2025 - since he joined the paid ranks.

He claimed a maiden victory on the HotelPlanner Tour in 2023 at the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge, while he came close to winning on the DP World Tour in 2024, finishing in a tie for second at the FedEx Open de France - one shot behind champion Dan Bradbury - and third in the Porsche Singapore Classic, where he missed out on a play-off by a single stroke.