Emiliano Grillo

Winning the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge at the end of May lifted Grillo from 80th in the world to 42nd on the very day that the top 50 earned exemptions to Royal Liverpool.

Was not certain to play until he won the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge at the end of May but his performance moved him up from 80th in the world to 42nd on the very day that the top 50 earned exemptions.

That ended a seven-and-a-half year wait for his second victory on the circuit, the first also coming in a play-off at the 2015 Frys.com Open.

Grillo tied 12th at Royal Troon in 2016 and again at Royal St George's in 2021, while in 2022 he booked his place at St Andrews on July 3 with a tie for second at the John Deere Classic, where three spots were up for grabs as part of The Open Qualifying Series.

Played at Carnoustie in 2018 as one of International captain Nick Price’s two wild cards for the previous year’s Presidents Cup.

Almost won the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, making a 65-foot eagle putt on the last after his approach over the lake had clattered into a hospitality tent and rebounded onto the green, but Stephen Gallacher pipped him by one. Ended that year with a six-stroke victory at the Argentina Open.