Canter and Laird secure spots at The 146th Open Championship

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Well done to both Laurie Canter and Martin Laird on securing spots into the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale later this month.

Canter secured his tee-time after a thrilling play-off on Tuesday at Final Qualifying against two other players at Notts Hollinwell Golf Course.

“Obviously it will be a great week, I’m just excited to get going,” said Canter, who is in his second full year on the European Tour.

“Tuesday was a fairly long day and I’m having a bit of a come down, but the prospect of playing at the Open will be brilliant. I’m definitely playing the most consistent golf I have ever played in my life, I’ve got some really good people around me now,”

Laurie shot a bogey free 67 in the morning and followed it up with a 2 under 70, to see him finish the day on -7 – good enough for a tie for third with two others.

In the first sudden death hole against Italian Stefano Mazzoli and Englishman Rhys Nevin-Wharton, Canter holed a nervy 10ft to avoid elimination.

Mazzoli was knocked out of contention at the second and a third par on the trot was enough for Canter to see off Nevin-Wharton after they teed it up for a third time.

Scotland’s Martin Laird earned his place at The Open by finishing tied for third at the Quicken Loans National in Maryland.

He shot a final round 67 (three under par), to end the event on five under.

“Anytime you can play in an Open, that’s my favourite tournament of the year,” said Laird.

“To have the chance to play it anytime is special. I’ve heard great things about Birkdale.”

Not only has Martin qualified for The Open, but he is also back in the world’s top 100 (87th) for the first time in more than three years, which shows the great golf that he is playing at the moment.

Martin and Laurie will join Dustin, Brooks and Thorbjorn who have already qualified for The Open Championship. What a great week at Royal Birkdale it is going to be!