…. Jumeirah Estates, Dubai
The Scottish foursome of Ewen Ferguson, Robert MacIntyre, Richie Ramsay and Connor Syme were congratulating each other delighted in earning automatic tee-times into next year’s 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
The four brilliantly finished inside top-30 on the DP World Tour money list to book their Hoylake tee-times with Ferguson ending his year 17th, MacIntryre 18th, Ramsay 19th and Syme, jumping four places from 32nd and outside the 30 into 28th place after a sizzling 66 final round at the DP World Tour Championship.
Best mates Connor Syme and Ewen Ferguson qualify automatically for 2023 Open (Photo – @TourMiss)
Ferguson’s effort, and despite struggling in Dubai to share 42nd will, at this stage, ensure his majors debut next July.
He said: “It’s been a great year to now have it confirmed I’m into The Open. I was out there today trying my best and trying to keep my head on, and while I was feeling pretty tired, as I feel like I’ve played so much golf this year.
“So, to earn an Open tee-time on top of winning twice this year, is another nice reward for a great season.
“Its should that even though I was not playing my best, and feeling as tied as I was, I could still wiggle my way around a tough golf course.”
For MacIntyre it will be a fourth straight Open but with the Oban lefty struggling over the four days in Dubai with four rounds in the 70s, including a closing 74.
Scot Robert MacIntyre qualifies for a fourth Open Championship finishing top-30 at DPWTC. (Photo – DP World Tour/Getty)
Ramsay will be returning to The Open for a first time in six years, and ending his season with a score of 70 for a share of 16th at six-under.
He said: “That’s a great box to tick, knowing I’m back into The Open as it’s been a few years though they used to have qualifying from our tour into the US Open, so I would have loved to be heading back to a US Open.
“The majors are special to me, as they are for everyone, and it’s nice to know that now at the end of my year, I will be playing next year’s Open.
“I’ve been interested to go down and play Royal Liverpool, as I might go down over the coming months. It’s been a long time since I last played the course, so that is something I really look forward to.”
Richie Ramsay returning to The Open for a first time in six years
“Also, it’s been a great week holing the great eagle 18th hole shot on Friday and a nice way to finish today, playing the back-9 in two-under.”
Syme last played Royal Liverpool as an 18-year-old in the 2013 Boys Amateur when good friend Ferguson won the title. The Fifer saved the best for last grabbing seven birdies in his closing 67.
Syme said: “To finish top-30 and secure myself an Open spot was very much on my mind today. I gave it absolutely everything and now delighted to earn a Royal Liverpool tee time.
“So, it’s really nice we can head home, put the clubs away for awhile in the knowledge I’m into next year’s The Open.
“It was a great way to finish my week and my year, so really pleased.”
MacIntyre’s 18th place on the money list is a third best in his four seasons while Ramsay secured his best placing, by seven spots, in all his 14 seasons while Syme’s prior best ahead of this fourth season was 65th on the money list in 2020.
Aberdonian David Law posted a closing 66 to share 20th place at four-under and end with his best season finish of 49th, and a best by 33 places in his prior three years on the Tour.
