Nacho Elvira will make his first major start at The 151st Open as he was joined by Kalle Samooja and Marc Warren in qualifying through their performances at the Made in HimmerLand.
Spaniard Elvira missed out on winning his second DP World Tour title in Denmark on Sunday as he lost in a play-off to the already exempt and home favourite Rasmus Højgaard.
Finn Samooja will also make his debut in golf’s oldest Major at Royal Liverpool, while Scot Marc Warren is returning The Open for the first time since 2016 when it was held at Royal Troon.
“It’s a bit sour right now,” said Elvira after the play-off defeat in Farsø, “but it’s sweet knowing I’ll be playing my first major.
“I’ve played at Hoylake before and I loved it so I couldn’t be more happy.”
Elvira, who claimed his first DP World Tour in the Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale at Celtic Manor two years ago, lost out to Højgaard on the sixth play-off hole after both players finished tied for first place on 13 under par.
⛳ Provided a world-class playoff
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 9, 2023
🏌 Shot 69/62/66/70
🪜 Climbed 131 spots in the R2DR@nachoelvira87 appreciation tweet 👏🏻#MIH23 pic.twitter.com/rqdD03eSwP
Samooja shot 64-67 over the weekend to finish at 11 under as he was joined by Warren in a tie for fourth alongside the exempt Alexander Björk and Robert MacIntyre.
“It’s been one of my goals this year," said the 2018 European Challenge Tour graduate.
“I’ve never played Hoylake before, but I’ve watched it on TV enough so I know quite a few holes.”
Warren, a four-time DP World Tour winner, returns to play in The Open for the first time since 2016 when it was held at Royal Troon.
The Scot, who finished tied 39th when it was last held at Royal Liverpool in 2014, said: “I’ve not had many great results recently, so to just pluck one out of the bag and take one of the last spots in The Open is an amazing achievement.
“Going out there today that was the main thing; it wasn’t even a finish, it was just trying to qualify for The Open.”
This week’s Genesis Scottish Open – the third Rolex Series event of the season – represents the final opportunity for players to book their place in the field as the Open Qualifying Series comes to an end.
The leading three players, not already exempt, who make the cut at the Renaissance Club will feature in the final Major of the year, from July 20-23.
