Armitage thanks partner Lucy for his second Open chance

Marcus Armitage dedicated his second chance to shine at The Open Championship to his partner Lucy after sealing his place at Royal St George's Golf Club at the South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg.

The Englishman birdied the last to seal solo third at Randpark Golf Club and punch his ticket for the oldest Major Championship alongside tournament winner Branden Grace and South African Jaco Ahlers - who finished a shot behind Armitage.

The 32-year-old revealed in this week's Player Blog presented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car how 2019 had been a tough year for him and Lucy, as he relied on credit cards while earning less than 15,000 euros in European Challenge Tour prize money after buying a house.

His third place finish not only secured him a place at The Open but saw him pocket over five times last season's winnings, and a clearly emotional Armitage was quick to pay tribute to the lady in his life.

"It's hard for her," he said. "Shes working, we've got a house and we just don't get the quality time. This one's for Lucy.

"I can tell Lucy that she doesn't have to do any nails that week, she can book it off and we can go and enjoy The Open.

"Where I was a few months ago, I was off the cliff. I've turned it around. A few people have given me a few keys to change my life and that's proof you can do it, you can do it in months. I'm a product of the hard work I've put in."

It will be Armitage's second time in the field for The Open after he qualified in 2018 but saw his chances of contending hampered by a freak injury.

The Qualifying School graduate went indoor skydiving and dislocated his shoulder ten days before the event but was still on the first tee come Thursday, although he did not make the weekend.

"It was quite pointless really because I’ve already done a tandem skydive from 12,000 feet, so I don’t know why I went in a wind tunnel," he told the Player Blog presented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car this week.

Shes working, we've got a house and we just don't get the quality time. This one's for Lucy. I can tell Lucy that she doesn't have to do any nails that week, she can book it off and we can go and enjoy The Open

"I ripped my shoulder clean out of the socket and it was out for two hours. 

"I went to see Poora Singh, one of the physios on the Challenge Tour, and he said, ‘you’re not playing in The Open next week’ and I responded, ‘yes I am, you watch me. I’ll go with half a swing’. 

"And that’s exactly what I did. I played The Open with half a swing and missed the cut. I shot 69 on the second day with half a swing. I was gutted."

Well Armitage - known as The Bullet - now has a second bite of the cherry and he could not hide his delight.

"I knew if I birdied I'd be undoubtedly in next week and in The Open so it was some buzz to hole that putt," he said.

"I'm looking to win it.

"It's the best championship on the planet for me, it's everything. That is the dream. People say to you, 'you're on the European Tour, you're living the dream'. No - the dream is when I've got a Claret Jug in my pocket and I'm off to find the other three."

Grace will be playing in his tenth Open with a previous best finish of sixth in 2017 - the year he made history by shooting the first 62 in Major Championship history.

"I've got great memories there from the 62," he said. "I was a little bit sour at the end of last year not knowing I'd secured my spot but after this week, knowing I've done it, it's a great highlight so far and something great to look forward to.

"It's a dream and if you ask me which Major I think I would win, it's probably that one. It suits me the most."

Ahlers will be playing his second Open, 11 years after he made it through international qualifying and missed the cut.

"I'm excited," he said. "I haven't done it in 11 years so I'm really looking forward to it.

"I play the Alfred Dunhill Links every year and I just really love links golf.

"What I hear from St George's is it's a pretty tough golf course so I'm looking forward to the challenge."