Dustin Johnson is heading for Dundonald in a last-gasp bid to make The Open. The American superstar will be the headline attraction in Ayrshire on Tuesday when he attempts to fight his way into the 154th Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Johnson's Qualifying Challenge
Johnson needs to pre-qualify into the Southport showpiece having fallen outside of the world's top 200 since joining LIV Golf with his Claret Jug exemption from winning the 2020 Masters also expiring a year ago. The 42-year-old has played in every Open since 2009, but now must emulate the effort of Lee Westwood last year and come through the 36-hole qualifier at Dundonald to extend the sequence. Johnson, who won the US Open a decade ago, came closest to winning the Claret Jug in 2011 when finishing joint-second behind Darren Clarke at Royal St George's.
Crowds and Companions
Huge crowds turned out to watch Westwood win 12 months ago and the same is expected again at the venue to catch a glimpse of the superstar play alongside Scottish amateur Connor Graham, who also qualified from Dundonald a year ago for Royal Portrush, and Spanish star Angel Hidalgo. Scots duo Cameron Adam and Daniel Young, who both played at Portrush last year, are joined by two-time DP World Tour winner Grant Forrest in a bulky home contingent at Dundonald. American Ryder Cowan, who tied for leading amateur with Jackson Koivun at last weekend's US Open at Shinnecock Hills, also headed for Ayrshire.
Other Qualifying Venues
Once again, Dundonald is one of four venues staging qualifiers on Tuesday with the others being held at Burnham & Berrow, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire. Sahith Theegala is the biggest name at Burnham & Berrow, while Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett and Matt Wallace are big attractions at West Lancs. Johnson's LIV colleagues Branden Grace, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Josele Ballester, Anirban Lahiri, Thomas Detry, Caleb Surratt and Peter Uihlein are also attempting to clinch spots for Birkdale, with five available from each venue.
Other Golf News
This week's scheduled LIV event in New Orleans was postponed, but Bob MacIntyre is amongst the field for the Travelers Championship in Connecticut. This week's DP World Tour action is the Italian Open, where home hero Francesco Molinari has been announced as European vice-captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. He joins his brother Edoardo in Luke Donald's backroom team for the third consecutive clash against the USA having been involved for the victories at Marco Simone in 2023 and Bethpage last year.
Molinari on Ryder Cup Role
Molinari said: "I've had two great experiences. Two very different ones, but both of them memorable and some of the best weeks of my life. So it was an easy, straightforward decision. I was honoured and pleased when Luke phoned me. Anytime you get asked to be involved, there's only one possible answer, and I can't wait to be there again. Luke has been a great leader these past few years. I think he has really found something special in this role. He fits it perfectly and he's only gotten better with time and experience, so I'm looking forward to seeing further evolution since the next two years leading into Ireland. Ireland is going to be a very special. Last time it was there, at The K Club, I watched it on TV, but I wasn't really involved. So it's something I've heard a lot about, the Irish fans and the whole Irish atmosphere, and I can't wait to experience it myself."
Donald added: "Francesco has been an integral part of the backroom team the last two times. He brings a wealth of experience, a wealth of being successful at the Ryder Cup and I just love his personality. He is very quiet, very measured, and he really thinks about his role and how he can create the right atmosphere and the right culture that we've had for the last couple of Ryder Cups. I think continuity also has a special part to play. The players know what Francesco brings. Some real excellence and history when it comes to the Ryder Cup. He is the only player to win five matches, which he did in Paris, and he is a familiar face. People know how to talk to him, and he knows how to talk to the players as well. He brings great qualities to the backroom team."
