Open Final Qualifying Round Up: Ian Poulter Books Birkdale Return

Ian Poulter came through qualifying at Woburn to return to the venue where he finished as runner up nine years ago

open final qualifying

Ian Poulter came through qualifying at Woburn to return to the venue where he finished as runner-up nine years ago

Open Final Qualifying Round Up: Ian Poulter Books Birkdale Return

Ian Poulter has successfully qualified for this year's Open Championship after finishing in a tie for second at his home club Woburn.

The 12-time European Tour winner posted rounds of 70 and 68, including just one bogey over 36 holes on the Marquess' course, to finish at six under.

The last time the Open was at Birkdale, Poulter finished second to Padraig Harrington.

Poulter holed a superb putt on the final green before Padraig Harrington charged home with a superb back nine which included a stunning eagle at the par-5 17th.

The Englishman said, "Going back to Birkdale after what happened in 2008 is special."

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Poulter finished in a tie for second at Woburn alongside Challenge Tour pro Toby Tree, with Indian Shiv Kapur winning the event at eight under.

Elsewhere, Matthew Southgate dominated final qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports, shooting six under for 36 holes to win by three from three-time Challenge Tour winner Robert Dinwiddie.

Related: From despair to delirium: Matt Southgate's life-changing year

Southgate played in The Open at Troon last year, but just two years ago was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The recovery he has made has been spectacular.

open final qualifying

Poulter celebrates holing a putt on the 72nd green with his caddie at the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale

Amateur Connor Syme qualified at Gailes Links, which was the toughest of the five venues, along with USA's Challenge Tour winner Julian Suri.

European Tour winner Mark Foster progressed from Notts GC, posting a score of -10, which was matched Joe Dean.

Haydn McCullen qualified at Hillside, as did Nicholas McCarthy and Adam Hodkinson.

All qualifiers

Gailes Links

T1 Connor Syme (A) -4/138 T1 Julian Suri -4/138

Notts

T1 Mark Foster -10/134 T1 Joe Dean -10/134

Hillside

1 Haydn McCullen -9/135 2 Nicholas McCarthy -7/137 3 Adam Hodkinson -6/138

Royal Cinque Ports

1 Matthew Southgate -6/136 2 Robert Dinwiddie -3/139

Woburn

1 Shiv Kapur -8/136 T2 Toby Tree -6/138 T2 Ian Poulter -6/138

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV