Nine amateurs medal as 37 reach Open Final Qualifying

The amateur game was front and centre at Regional Qualifying for the 154th Open, with 37 amateurs coming through the first stage to earn places at Final Qualifying. The events were played on Monday 22 June across 16 venues spread the length and breadth of Great Britain and Ireland, from Craigielaw and Kilmarnock (Barassie) in Scotland to The Island in Ireland and a cluster of heathland and links tests across England.

Regional Qualifying is the opening rung on the ladder to The Open. Those who progress now move forward to Final Qualifying, staged across four courses on Tuesday 30 June, where the remaining places in this summer's Championship at Royal Birkdale will be decided. For the amateurs who survived a demanding day of low scoring, the dream of teeing it up in The Open is now just one round away.

The amateur medalists

Four amateurs went one better than simply qualifying, topping their venues outright. Oliver Cage (Moortown) led the way at Fulford on five under par, while Connor O'Brien (Brocket Hall) matched that mark to take the medal at Moor Park. Robbie Flower (Royal Winchester) was also five under to win at North Hants, and the standout number of the day among the amateurs belonged to Liam Abom (Edmondstown), whose eight-under-par effort earned an emphatic medal at The Island.

A further five amateurs shared top spot as co-medalists. Henry Daly (Wentworth) and Reggie Fear (Wentworth Club) were both part of a tie for first at Bearwood Lakes; Abel Eduard (Kingston Heath) tied for the lead at Hesketh; Ellis Bright (Cumberwell Park) was in a share of first at Minchinhampton; and Haiden Matos (Dartford) tied for top spot at Rochester & Cobham Park.

There was strength in numbers elsewhere, too. Hesketh sent four amateurs through — Eduard joined by Neil Williams (St Annes Old Links), home favourite Bryan Hughes (Hesketh) and Andrew Haswell (Ormskirk) — matching the four amateurs who advanced from Bearwood Lakes. The Island, North Hants, Gog Magog, Fulford, Caldy and Chart Hills each produced three amateur qualifiers. Only Kilmarnock (Barassie) failed to send an amateur into the next round.

Full amateur results by venue

Every amateur who progressed to Final Qualifying is listed below, with home club and result. Click a venue for full coverage and scores.

Final Qualifying takes place on Tuesday 30 June across four venues, with places in the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale on the line. amateurgolf.com will have full coverage of the amateurs in the field.