A FORMER world number one golfer emerged victorious from The Open final qualifying at Dundonald Links.
Lee Westwood tamed the Ayrshire venue as he posted a total score of seven under par across two rounds on Tuesday, July 1.
The 52-year-old - who holds the European record for the greatest number of appearances in Ryder Cup winning teams with seven in his 11 appearances - opened up with a first round 70 (-2) before a second round 67 earned his spot atop the leader board.
He comfortably claimed one of the five qualification spots for the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush - which will be his first major appearance since 2022, when he moved across to the LIV Golf tour.
Westwood will hope that he can now go on to win his first major championship - having previously finished in the top three of each of golf's premier events.
Despite the success of Westwood, it wasn't all plain sailing for other well-established names competing at Dundonald.
Welshman Jamie Donaldson - who holed the winning putt in the 2014 Ryder Cup - missed out on qualification after finishing the tournament on seven over par.
While Adrian Meronk, who plays on the LIV Tour alongside Westwood, retired from the competition.
YouTube golf star Peter Finch also attracted a lot of attention - though his final score of six over was well back of the top five places.
In terms of local hopefuls, Barassie pair Jack McDonald and Michael Stewart were both looking to secure a place at The Open for a second time.
Stewart, who finished as top Scot in 2023 after battling through qualification, finished three shots back of the top five with a score of one under.
He carded an impressive second round two under but his opening score of 73 proved too much to overcome.
While McDonald fell short by the most agonising of margins, ending the tournament on three under parr - missing out on a qualification play-off by just one stroke.
He also carded an opening round one over but a second round 68 edged McDonald back into contention.
Though he was left to rue a bogey down the stretch which ultimately cost him a chance at earning a major place for the second consecutive year.
Elsewhere, Loudoun golfer Harvey McDonald also fell short in his quest to earn a major place.
He finished the tournament on 11 over par, ending the day's play in 57th position.
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