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And just like that, The Open has come and gone.

Xander Schauffele leaves Royal Troon a two-time major champion, adding the Claret Jug to his trophy cabinet.

Before we know it, the 2025 Open will be upon us – and Royal Portrush the latest host of the chase for golf’s most prestigious trophy.

Whilst the American celebrates his triumph on the west coast of Scotland, eight players will sleep well, knowing they have at least two tee times in Northern Ireland next year thanks to a top ten last week.

Two of them can thank Daniel Brown.

The Englishman looked the Open’s most unlikely winner when taking a lead into the second round and sitting one behind going into the final round.

He struggled as the week went on, though, faltering to a three-over 74 in the company of world No.1 Scottie Scheffler on Sunday.

Thankfully for Brown, he had done enough to crack the top ten and punch his ticket to next year’s Open, despite a bogey on his 72nd hole.

That was to the delight of compatriot Matthew Jordan – who recorded a second consecutive top ten finish in The Open – and Adam Scott. The Aussie will take his Open streak into a 25th year.

• Past champion considering farewell at 2025 Open

• Fan helps tour star after seagull steals ball marker at The Open

One shot better off was South Korea’s Sungjae Im, wrapping up a two-under 69 in south Ayrshire to record a T7 result and guarantee his place at the County Antrim venue in 12 months’ time.

Meanwhile, Thriston Lawrence of South Africa and America’s Russell Henley finished third and fourth, respectively, to add their names to the exempt list.

The pair were part of a six-man hunting pack that entered Sunday’s round just one shot adrift. At one point, Lawrence sat atop the ‘board after carding four birdies and no bogeys on the front nine.

A member of the Sunshine Tour, the 27-year-old can also look forward to a Masters debut in April.

Finally, if there was any consolation for Justin Rose and Billy Horschel, the two nearly men who filled the runners-up spot, it was that they’d return to next year’s Open.

Rose qualified for Royal Troon through Final Qualifying, while Horschel got in as the 2021 BMW PGA Championship winner.

Had it not been for Schauffele’s excellence, one of that duo would have been a deserved Champion Golfer of the Year.

Here’s the full list of players who guaranteed exemption into next year’s Open…

• How Xander Schauffele stormed to the Claret Jug

• PGA Tour winner makes history with unique double

8 players who secured place in 2025 Open

Justin Rose

Billy Horschel

Thriston Lawrence

Russell Henley

Sungjae Im

Adam Scott

Daniel Brown

Matthew Jordan

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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 Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.

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