6/30/25

The R&A announced on Monday that starting with next year’s 154th Open Championship, there will be a qualifier, on-site at Royal Birkdale, for the final spot in the last major of the year. Royal Birkdale is set to host the Open Championship for the 11th time in 2026.

Monday’s announcement states that a fan survey they conducted found that, predictably, fans wanted more live golf. The R&A decided that up to 12 players will compete on the Monday of the Open Championship in what they’re calling a “winner-takes-all Last-Chance Qualifier” to determine the 156th spot in the field.

The 18-hole event is similar to Monday qualifiers on the PGA Tour or USGA Qualifiers. However, with this qualifier being held at the site of the tournament and the week of, it sets this qualifier apart from the others.

Tomorrow, Final Qualifying takes place for the 153rd Open Championship across the United Kingdom. The Open Championship is held this year at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

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