Realising the St Andrews dream

This weekend, a number players booked their spots for next week’s Open Championship.

The Open Championship tees off at the historic St Andrews on July 16th and there will be a few fresh faces on the first tee box.

James Morrison finished runner-up following the final round of the Open de France on Sunday, which was enough to secure his place at the year’s third major.

“I cannot wait, it’s every boy’s dream,” said the Englishman on europeantour.com.

“I played at Royal Lytham in 2012 but to play at St Andrews is even better. It’s the home of golf and I can’t wait to get there now. My goal was to try to have another go at it this week and I have done that. It is not easy to finish top five any week but to finish second and secure a place is even better.

“I love it at St Andrews. It is one of the only golf courses where you get that feeling. As soon as you turn up at St Andrews you have that amazing feeling in your body. I have seen all the videos and photos of the stands going up…it is going to be rocking.”

Jaco van Zyl had to settle for third place at the Open de France after starting the day in the lead. Nonetheless, it was good enough to qualify.

“It’s great…I played really, really nicely and securing a spot in The Open means a lot to me,” said the 36-year-old.

“It’s always great to be at St Andrews and the history is just absolutely phenomenal. Playing it in The Open is just going to mean so much more. It’s all going to be pretty new. I played in the US Open a couple of years ago but this is a very different feel and I am just looking forward to it.”

Following their performances at the Greenbrier Classic on the PGA Tour, winner Danny Lee, runner-up David Hearn, James Hahn and Greg Owen booked their spots at the Home of Golf as well.

Qualifying for the prestigious event continues this week on the respective tours with the John Deere Classic and Scottish Open.

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