Scotland’s Asian Tour event handed new qualifier

A new qualifier has been announced for the lucrative St Andrews Bay Championship next month, offering six places in the Asian Tour field.

The event, part of The International Series, will welcome the top half dozen finishers from an 18-hole qualifying tournament.

Professionals and top amateurs, therefore, have the chance to compete in the inaugural championship, worth up to $1.5 million at Fairmont St Andrews.

The qualifier will take place at the Fife venue on August 15 as a last chance to tee it up alongside the likes of Sergio Garcia, Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira.

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The LIV trio have already confirmed their participation in the event, while The International Series claims there are ‘further marquee player announcements to follow’.

Callum Nicoll, Director of Golf & Estates at Fairmont St Andrews, reckons the 18-hole tournament is a ‘gateway’ that will provide an ‘outstanding opportunity’.

He continued: “Particularly for many of the top golfers in Scotland, to experience playing in a world-class event against world-class opponents.

“Fairmont St Andrews is excited to be a part of what is a new and important event on the golf calendar here in Scotland.

“It is going to be an incredible week of golf, and the countdown to tournament week essentially starts with the qualification event.”

The St Andrews Bay Championship will be the 12th leg of the 2023 Asian Tour season and the sixth stop on The International Series.

Places in the qualifier are open to all male professional and amateur golfers, with a 0.4 handicap limit for amateurs.

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The six places up for grabs will be from a maximum starting field of 120 players and includes at least ten Asian Tour members and 20 amateurs.

The St Andrews Bay Championship will be preceded by the International Series England, at Close House in Newcastle.

Another star-studded field will take to the Northeast for that event, including Lee Westwood, Patrick Reed and Graeme McDowell.

Scotland’s Rory Franssen won the 18-hole qualifier last week.

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.