Former Premier League footballers fall short in Open qualifying

Royal Portrush will host the 153rd Open next month and, for many, the qualifying journey got underway on Monday.

Around 2,000 players competed in Regional Qualifying at 15 venues across the UK and Ireland, with spots at Final Qualifying up for grabs.

Among those were former tour winners, Ryder Cup stars, amateurs, and even ex-professional footballers Jimmy Bullard and Peter Odemwingie

The pair made a combined 219 appearances in the English top-flight, however both fell short in their bid to progress.

• Former LIV player set for surprise PGA Tour return

• English golfer claims £400k payday hours after ambulance treatment

Bullard, a scratch golfer who finished T14 at the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy in Greece earlier this month, signed for a three-over 74 at Rochester & Cobham Park.

The Englishman reached the turn at the Kent venue in 40 after costly double bogeys on his opening hole and the par-three eighth.

Despite carding three birdies on the back nine, Bullard, 46, finished four strokes off the qualifying score.

Odemwingie, meanwhile, signed for a ten-over-par 82 at Enville, in Staffordshire. The Nigerian international qualified as a PGA professional but also failed the test.

A birdie at the par-five first was a welcome start for the former West Bromwich Albion forward before a rough stretch saw him card a front-nine 41.

Several other big names were in action – and with varying results.

• Keegan Bradley changes Ryder Cup playing stance

• Tommy Fleetwood reacts to heartbreaking Keegan Bradley defeat

Sam Westwood, the son of LIV Golf man Lee Westwood, suffered the same fate as the pair of ex-Prem stars.

He fell short at Lindrick after a six-over 76, while former English cricketer Peter Trego agonisingly missed out on progressing after a level-par 72 at Frilford Heath.

Looking forward to a date with destiny on July 1, however, will be YouTube star Peter Finch, who topped the leaderboard at Caldy courtesy of a one-under 71.

And plenty of previous tour pros finished on the right side of qualifying.

Former Ryder Cup winner Jamie Donaldson and four-time DP World Tour winner Marc Warren both progressed at Kilmarnock (Barassie), while three-time Challenge Tour winner Robert Dinwiddie and former Walker Cup player John Gough also sealed a spot in FQ.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.