John Jacobs Trophy holder Colin Montgomerie will compete in The Open Championship for the first time in six years after securing his place through Final Qualifying at Gailes Links.
The Scot, who is a member at Royal Troon where the 145th edition of golf’s oldest tournament will be held, carded rounds of 66 and 71 for a five under par total, but had to wait two hours before learning he had progressed through The Open Qualifying Series.
Montgomerie’s success in qualifying means he will play in both The Open Championship, from July 14-17, and The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, from July 21-24 for the first time in his career.
“If I was going to play one Open, it would be this one as my qualifying days are behind me after this,” he said. “I’ll never play another at Troon because it comes back, what every 12 years, and I’ll be gone by then.
“So this gives me an opportunity to play and I think I can say this meant more to me than, with all respect to everyone else, to anyone else playing here.
“I’m glad that I made a reasonable showing because you can easily go around in two 75s and not make a good showing.”
After competing at Royal Troon, Montgomerie will attempt to capture the only Senior Major Championship that has eluded him since turning 50. The eight-time European Number One finished second in The Senior Open Championship at Royal Porthcawl in 2014 – the year he won the US Senior PGA Championship and US Senior Open – and third last year at Sunningdale, having successfully defended his US Senior PGA Championship title.
He will be one of a number of stars on show at The Senior Open Championship, held at Carnoustie the week after The Open Championship.
Fellow Ryder Cup legends Bernhard Langer, Jean Van de Velde, Tom Watson and Ian Woosnam will also tee off at the 30th edition of the European Senior Tour’s most prestigious event.
Defending champion Marco Dawson will bid to retain his crown up against a number of former Major Champions including compatriots Fred Couples and John Daly.
There is still the chance to purchase early bird tickets for The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at a reduced rate. Season tickets are currently on offer at £70 with Any One Day tickets costing just £25 – these prices will rise to £80 and £30 respectively from Friday, July 1. Under 16s go free when accompanied by an adult, and car parking is available free of charge.
Tickets for The Senior Open Championship can be purchasedhere.
