Westwood Qualifies For A 28th Open While Poutls Falls Shy Of A 21st

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Lee Westwood will be heading to a 28th Open Championship appearance after topping those seeking to qualify for the 154th Open today at Dundonald Links in Scotland.

The 52-year-old Westwood overcame a touch of jet-lag to post a seven-under 36-hole tally and ensures his place also in a first Major Champioship since the 2022 Open.

However, his former Ryder Cup and current LIV Golf team-mate Ian Poulter and his son Luke – and Portrush-born ex-US Open champion Graeme McDowell – all came up short in their bids to make the final major of the year.

Westwood, 52, who has played in golf’s oldest championship 27 times previously, finished top at Dundonald Links after posting seven under for 36 holes.

Westwood was teeing-up on the Scotland west coast after finishing in a lowly share of 25th in last Sunday’s inaugural LIV Golf Dallas.

“I’ve been up since half-past one this morning with jet lag so I was starting to feel it,” said Westwood.

“I haven’t tried to qualify for the last couple of years for one reason or another”.

Six years ago when Royal Portrush last hosted The Open Westwood finished fourth and in only five top-5 finishes in golf’s oldest major.

“Royal Portrush is a fantastic golf course and I played well there last time, finished fourth in 2019, so that was another reason to come and play.

“The Open Championship is the greatest tournament on the golfing calendar. I’m not getting any younger, I’m 52 now.”

Poulter at least finished the day with some pride intact as, having trailed Luke all day in the scoring, finished level with his 21-year-old son on one under. Luke followed an opening 67 with a 76 at Royal Cinque Ports in Kent, with his dad shooting 72-71, as they and McDowell finished just short.

“I played good on the first 18, the last 18 not great,” said Luke.



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