The Week in Golf: Golf's crown jewel beckons, but time's running out to qualify
For many golfers and fans, it's the crown jewel of the calendar. For those not yet in the field, time is running out to grab one of the few remaining spots.
One of the newer wrinkles in the Open qualification process has added more intrigue to the global golfing calendar. Through the Open Qualifying Series, players can now earn their place not just through traditional routes, but by excelling in select tournaments throughout the season, and even in events immediately preceding the Open.
For instance, the top two finishers at the Italian Open, not already exempt, secured their place at Portrush. Similarly, Sergio Garcia earned his spot via the LIV Golf League, showing the system's growing inclusivity while maintaining its competitive edge.
Final Qualifying: All Eyes on July 1st
This week, the spotlight turns to Final Qualifying on Tuesday, July 1st, held across four elite venues:
Burnham & Berrow
Dundonald Links
Royal Cinque Ports
West Lancashire
These follow the Regional Qualifiers, which took place on June 23rd at 15 venues across the UK and Ireland, a true test of grit and form for hopefuls on the fringe.
Access to the Majors has never been easy, and the stakes are higher than ever. While some names may seem like automatic entries, qualification remains fiercely competitive. With form fluctuating and global rankings in flux, governing bodies appear increasingly nimble, adjusting criteria to ensure deserving talent makes the final field.
In the end, despite the system's imperfections, it still rewards performance and offers enough chances for the best to break through. As the saying goes, if you're good enough, you'll get there.
Legends Tour Makes Chinese Debut
Also worth noting this week is a landmark event on the Legends Tour. The tour heads to China for the first time with the Reignwood Legends Championship, hosted at Reignwood Pine Valley in Beijing.
While the tour caters to senior pros, it continues to offer top-tier golf with a nostalgic twist, featuring players who have shaped the game's history. The UAE has also played host to the Legends Tour previously, with events held at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, offering both Pro-Am and individual formats.
This Week in Global Golf (July 3–6, 2025)
PGA TOUR
John Deere Classic
TPC Deere Run, Illinois, USA
Purse: $8.4 million
DP WORLD TOUR
BMW International Open
Golfclub München Eichenried, Munich, Germany
Purse: $2.75 million
ASIAN TOUR
International Series – Morocco
Royal Dar Es Salam (Red Course), Morocco
Purse: $2 million
HOTELPLANNER TOUR
Interwetten Open
Schladming-Dachstein Golf Club, Austria
Purse: €300,000
LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR
KPMG Women's Irish Open
Carton House, Ireland
Purse: €450,000
LEGENDS TOUR
Reignwood Legends Championship
Reignwood Pine Valley, Beijing
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