Ryder Cup legends react to Open qualifying heartbreak

Former Ryder Cup heroes Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell won’t feature in the 153rd Open after failing to progress from Final Qualifying.

Poulter, 49, was in action at Royal Cinque Ports, alongside his son Luke, but the English pair couldn’t seal their place in Northern Ireland next month.

McDowell, meanwhile, also finished one-under-par on the Kent links and missed out on an Open berth on home soil.

In an Instagram story, Poulter said: “Big thanks to all you guys who came out to watch Luke, who’s driving us home, and myself in Open qualifying.

“Unfortunately, we both came up a couple of shots short, which is very disappointing. Luke shot five-under this morning, was nicely in position but, unfortunately, didn’t go quite so well this afternoon.

“I kind of blew myself out on the front nine, but there you go.

“Heading home, thank you to all the spectators who came out, you were class. See you down the road somewhere, somehow.”

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On X, McDowell wrote: “Not to be @TheOpen qualifying yesterday. Gutted to sit this one out at @royalportrush. Going to be an amazing week with lots to celebrate for Irish golf.

“Congrats to all the guys who qualified. It’s a grind with such a special reward. My game is trending, so we plough ahead.”

Luke Poulter seemed likely to qualify for his maiden major championship after a five-under-par opener in Deal on Tuesday.

But the 21-year-old Florida Gator carded a four-over 76 in the afternoon to see his Open hopes diminish, as –4 got the job done.

LIV man Dean Burmester topped the qualifier on ten-under, beating English duo Nathan Kimsey and Curtis Knipes into second by four.

The last time McDowell played in an Open Championship was at Royal Portrush in 2019, while Ian Poulter’s last tilt at golf’s oldest major was in 2022.

Jamie Donaldson, another ex-Ryder Cup star, also didn’t qualify. The Welshman finished T48 on +7 at Dundonald Links.

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There was delight for Lee Westwood, however, who qualified on the west coast of Scotland. The 52-year-old will make an Open return after a three-year hiatus.

After his round, he told reporters: “I’ve always said it’s the greatest championship in golf and as a British player you get phenomenal support,” Westwood told reporters after his second round.

“I really enjoyed Portrush last time. I finished fourth and played nicely.

“I’m just looking forward to enjoying the week at Portrush. Seeing a few old friends and enjoying that golf course. For me, it’s in the top three links courses in the British Isles.”

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.