Portrush native Graeme McDowell ‘gutted' not to qualify for hometown Open
McDowell, a Portrush native, was right in the mix after an opening round 70 but he would follow it up with a 73 that ended his chances of teeing it up on home soil in two weeks' time.
The LIV Golf star was the best Northern Irishman at The Open in 2019 as he made the cut but will now have to watch this year's action from Portrush on the TV which, unsurprisingly, left him devastated.
"Not to be at Open qualifying yesterday," he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
"Gutted to sit this one out at Royal Portrush. Going to be an amazing week with lots to celebrate for Irish golf. Congrats to all the guys who qualified. It's a grind with such a special reward. My game is trending, so we plow ahead."
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McDowell hasn't played in a Major since the 2020 U.S. Open, when his 10-year exemption for winning the event in 2010 expired, with his move to LIV in 2022 undoubtedly playing a factor in that.
There was better news for 52-year-old fellow LIV golfer Lee Westwood, who did qualify for Portrush after a three-year absence from the tournament as he was one of the best five finishers at Dundonald Links.
And after sealing his place in the field, the former World No.1 was effusive in his praise for the Dunluce Links as he prepares to return to a course he finished fourth on six years ago, when Shane Lowry triumphed.
'I've always said it's the greatest championship in golf and as a British player you get phenomenal support,' Westwood told reporters after his second round.
'I really enjoyed Portrush last time. I finished fourth and played nicely.
'I'm just looking forward to enjoying the week at Portrush. Seeing a few old friends and enjoying that golf course. For me, it's in the top three links courses in the British Isles.'
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