JACQUELIN, BROOKS AND KARLBERG QUALIFY FOR THE OPEN AT THE ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT SCOTTISH OPEN

Golf News

12 July 2015, Gullane, Scotland: Raphael Jacquelin, Daniel Brooks and Rikard Karlberg qualified for The 144TH Open at St Andrews after the final round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open today.

Three places in the Championship, set to be played later this week from 16-19 July, were available through The Open Qualifying Series at the European Tour event at Gullane Golf Club for the leading three non-exempt players who finished in the top ten and ties.

Jacquelin finished tied second on eleven-under-par alongside Matt Kuchar, who has already earned his place at St Andrews, and one shot back of winner Rickie Fowler who will be looking to repeat the success of 2013 Champion Golfer of the Year Phil Mickelson who triumphed at Muirfield after winning the Scottish Open. The 41-year-old from Lyon, France shot a final round 70 and will make his tenth appearance in The Open with his best result coming at Royal St George’s in 2011 where he finished eighth.

Englishman Brooks finished two shots further back tied for seventh place after turning in a three-over-par 73. The 28-year-old from London has seen his game return to form over the past two weeks, finishing tied 20th at the Alstom Open de France. The 2014 Madeira Islands Open winner will make his Major Championship debut at the home of golf.

Karlberg closed out the tournament with an eight-under-par 64 to finish tied tenth among five players that are already exempt for The Open and Korea’s YE Yang, with Karlberg securing the qualifying place by virtue of his higher position in the Official World Golf Ranking. The 28-year-old is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour and will make his first appearance in golf’s oldest championship this week.

Key quotes:

Raphael Jacquelin

“I’m so happy to play next week in St Andrews. I haven’t been playing The Open for a few years, and my confidence is back as well as my game. It’s even better to play The Open in good form.

“I’ve never played The Open at St Andrews, so it couldn’t be more special, that’s for sure. I love the links courses. Today we had to create on every shot when the wind is strong, and I think the wind is going to be strong this week. So let’s create some shots and we’ll see at the end.”

Daniel Brooks

“It’s amazing. I’ve been playing golf now for quite a few years and it will be my first Major. To play at St Andrews is like a dream come true.

“It’s been a great week and a top-class field and to get one of the spots available, I’m over the moon. I’ve scrambled like you would not believe over the last two days to get one of the spots in The Open.”

The Open Qualifying Series concludes later this evening at the John Deere Classic on the PGA TOUR where one final qualifying place in The Open will be confirmed.

For scoring and more information visit TheOpen.com.