Three LIV Golf players earn medalist honors at The Open Final Qualifying

Final Qualifying for The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush took place Tuesday, with 14 LIV Golf players competing across four UK venues—Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports, and West Lancashire—where 20 spots were available in the 156-player field.

Entering this week, 16 LIV Golf players were already exempt into The Open field. With three players (Lee Westwood, Lucas Herbert, Dean Burmester) qualifying on Tuesday, LIV Golf will have 19 players represented in the field at The Open (July 17-20).

On Sunday, Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia earned the LIV Golf exemption for The Open as the highest top-5 points finishers not otherwise exempt after the final round at LIV Golf Dallas presented by Aramco.

Ten LIV Golf teams will be represented at The Open, with Legion XIII and Ripper GC having the most players with three each.

DUNDONALD LINKS: FINAL QUALIFYING FOR THE OPEN

Majesticks GC Co-Captain Lee Westwood secured a spot in the Open Championship with a fantastic performance in the 36-hole qualifier. Westwood earned medalist honors after rounds of 70-67 to post a 7-under total. The Englishman has found some form recently on LIV Golf. He’s finished T10 in Virginia and had T25s in Dallas and Riyadh.

Westwood last played The Open in 2022 but has a strong history in the championship, including a T4 at Portrush in 2019.

"Royal Portrush is a fantastic golf course, and I played well there last time. I finished fourth in 2019," Westwood said. "The Open Championship is the greatest tournament on the golfing calendar ... I hit some nice shots coming down the stretch there. I think 7 under is pretty good."

WEST LANCASHIRE: FINAL QUALIFYING FOR THE OPEN

Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC has secured a spot at The Open Championship after earning medalist honors at West Lancashire with rounds of 69-67 for an 8-under total. At LIV Golf Dallas, the Australian spoke about the importance of getting into the major championship.

“I love The Open," Herbert said. "You know, [Herbert’s caddie, Nick Pugh] being from the UK as well, it's his one major. I think if we could pick one for the year, he would pick that one ... I played three or four of them now and love, love my opportunities when I have gotten them to play it. So, yeah, if I can get another one, that'd be great.”

Now that he’s in, Herbert is also high on his chances to do well at Royal Portrush.

“I feel like my game is trending in the right way as well,” he said. “So, if I can play well enough this week or on Tuesday to be able to get in, then my game's probably in a good enough spot to be able to go and contend.”

Harold Varner III of 4Aces GC tied for the second-lowest score in the second round with a 68 and finished two strokes out of the playoff for the last two spots.

ROYAL CINQUE PORTS: FINAL QUALIFYING FOR THE OPEN

Dean Burmester of Stinger GC qualified for the Open Championship after earning medalist honors with rounds of 70-64. The South African played brilliantly over 36 holes and won by four shots.

"That's one of the best rounds of golf I've played," Burmester said about his 64. "It was just flawless from the get-go this afternoon. ... Basically from the first hole it looked like every putt was going to go in, and that's pretty much what happened for the next 17 holes.

"I'm super chuffed with the way it's turned out. It was a goal of mine to get to Portrush. Now I've got to find some accommodation!"

Burmester finished T23 at LIV Golf Virginia and T18 at LIV Golf Dallas leading into the qualifier. For the season, he is currently 11th in the individual standings. The 36-year old will be making his 4th Open Championship start. He’s had success in the Open, finishing T11 in 2022 and T19 in 2024.

Fireballs GC's David Puig shot the lowest opening round with a 64 but a 78 in his second round left him tied for 9th at 2 under.

Majesticks GC Co-Captain Ian Poulter and his son Luke each finished at 1 under, as did Smash GC's Graeme McDowell, a member of Royal Portrush who was hoping to play his way into the field.

BURNHAM & BERROW: FINAL QUALIFYING FOR THE OPEN

Crushers GC's Anirban Lahiri birdied his last three holes but came up just one stroke short for the final qualiying spot at Burnham & Berrow.