Published July 17, 2008 on July 10, 2018

Record Number of Qualifiers Bidding for Dream Date with St Andrews

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The lure of a Senior Major Championship on the Old Course at St Andrews has led to more than 600 golfers entering Monday Qualifying for The Senior Open Presented by Rolex on July 23.

Taking place at Fairmont St Andrews, Ladybank, Lundin Links and Scotscraig the Monday before the Senior Open, 636 golfers from around the world will compete for the remaining 24 places in the final Senior Major Championship of the 2018 season, which takes place from July 26-29.

For the first time in its 32-year history, The Senior Open will take place on the fabled links of the Old Course and the 618 competitors will bid to join the 120 golfers exempt in a field which already includes 40 Ryder Cup players, 11 Ryder Cup Captains, 71 European Tour winners and 52 PGA Tour victors.

Making up some of the 618-strong qualifiers are three former Ryder Cup players, 11 European Tour winners, 13 PGA Tour winners, 14 Staysure Tour winners and eight PGA Tour Champions winners. Bidding to brush shoulders with the world’s best over-50s are 145 amateur golfers.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “The phenomenal interest in this year’s Senior Open highlights the enduring appeal of St Andrews, and Scotland, as an internationally renowned golfing destination. 

“The opportunity to visit the Old Course, as either a player or spectator, is irresistible with such a strong field set for 2018. Set to be an historic event full of rekindled rivalries and fond farewells, this competition will certainly reaffirm Scotland’s reputation as the home of golf.”

Stephen Owen, Chairman of Fife Golf, said ‘We are very fortunate to regularly host some of the world’s greatest golf championships in Fife. 2018 will see the first staging of The Senior Open Presented by Rolex over the iconic Old Course and the undoubted popularity of the venue is demonstrated by the record number of players entering the pre-qualifying events. 

“During qualifying, these players will experience at first hand the wonderful golf on offer at Fairmont St Andrews, Ladybank Golf Club, Scotscraig Golf Club and Lundin Golf Club. On behalf of Fife Golf, I would like to pass on my very best wishes to all the competitors involved’.