The R & A has abandoned a long standing Local Final Qualifying process in favour of staging the qualifier at four permanent courses throughout England and Scotland.

From 2014, four courses will stage Local Final Qualifying thus doing away with the need for players to travel to locations where The Open is being held.

Paul Lawrie is the last player to come through Local Final Qualifying to win The Open. (Photo - www.paullawriegolf.com)

The four courses are Glasgow Gailes in Scotland and Hillside, Woburn and Royal Cinque Ports in England.

The R & A say this new procedure is designed to provide a more accessible route into The Open for competitors qualifying from the 16 Regional Qualifying courses around Great Britain and Ireland.

 “This alteration to the qualifying make up will offer a more geographically convenient way for competitors seeking to achieve a starting place in The Open Championship,” said Rhodri Price, The R&A’s Assistant Director of Championships.

“The R&A have maintained a very close relationship with all venues associated with the qualifying stages and this is a natural step towards continuing to offer competitors wishing to enter within Great Britain and Ireland a route into The Open Championship”.

The last time a player came through Local Final Qualifying to capture golf’s oldest Major was Scotland’s Paul Lawrie when he won the 1999 Open at Carnoustie after coming through Local Final Qualifying at nearby Downfield.