Golf Legends Left Heartbroken After Failing to Qualify for The Open ⛳ | Westwood Returns to Portrush!
The drama of Final Qualifying delivered triumph and heartbreak as former Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell failed to book their spots at The 153rd Open Championship. Poulter, alongside son Luke, narrowly missed the cut, while McDowell was left gutted to miss out on competing at Royal Portrush — his home soil. But not all was lost, as Lee Westwood made a triumphant return, qualifying for The Open after a three-year absence!
Get the full story of who made it, who missed out, and what it means for British golf at the game’s oldest major.
📌 Watch now for all the reactions, analysis, and emotional fallout from one of the biggest days in golf!
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Former Rder Cup legends Ian Poulter and Graham McDow will not feature in the 153rd Open Championship after falling short in final qualifying on Tuesday. Despite valiant efforts at Royal Sink Ports, both players failed to secure a spot in next month’s prestigious event at Royal Portrush. Poulter, 49, was joined by his son Luke Palter in a sentimental bid for qualification. The English duo drew plenty of support from the galleries, but ultimately couldn’t capitalize. Luke impressed early with a 500par opening round briefly putting himself in strong contention, but a second round 76 plus 4 derailed his hopes. The qualifying cut line settled at forgot reflecting on the day in an Instagram story. Ian said, “Big thanks to all you guys who came out to watch Luke, who’s driving us home, and myself in open qualifying. Unfortunately, we both came up a couple of shots short, which is very disappointing. I kind of blew myself out on the front nine, but there you go. See you down the road somewhere somehow.” Northern Irishman Graham McDow also missed the mark by a narrow margin, finishing one underpar on the Kent Coast. For McDow, the result is especially painful as he won’t get the chance to compete in the open on home soil where he last appeared in 2019. Also at Royalport Mcdow posted on X. Not to be at the open qualifying yesterday. Got to sit this one out at at Royalport Trush. 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. Meanwhile, Dean Burmeister of Elivy Golf led the field in deal with a commanding 10 underpar for shots ahead of Englishman Nathan Kimzy and Curtis Snipes who also earned their open invites. Elsewhere, another Rder Cup alum Jaime Donaldson failed to qualify, finishing T48 at plus 7 at Dundinal lengths in Scotland. But there was redemption for Lee Westwood, who rolled back the years with a strong performance at Dundenald to clinch a place in the Open for the first time since 2021. The 52-year-old, making his return after a three-year absence, expressed his excitement at heading back to Royal Portish, where he last contended and finished fourth in 2019. “I’ve always said it’s the greatest championship in golf, and as a British player, you get phenomenal support,” Westwood said. I really enjoyed Portrait last time. I’m just looking forward to enjoying the week, seeing a few old friends, and playing what I think is one of the top three Lynx courses in the British Isles. As the field takes shape for golf’s oldest and most historic major, it’s a bittersweet moment for some of the sport’s most iconic veterans, but also a celebration of new opportunities and unforgettable comebacks.
