Family drama takes centre stage
The Open always thrives on drama but this year comes with a family-sized helping. Ian Poulter is hunting a first Open appearance in three years yet his own son could block the way. Luke Poulter, just 21 and already brimming with swagger, might be the one to end Dad’s major dreams.
Both Poulters will fight on Tuesday at Royal Cinque Ports trying to grab one of only five precious tickets to Royal Portrush. Seventy two players are playing the big name golf competition in Kent with father and son poised to break each other’s hearts. Nothing says family bonding quite like ending your dad’s championship hopes.
Ian Poulter has twenty Open appearances behind him but none since switching to LIV Golf in 2022. Now 49 and busy on the LIV circuit he will rush from Dallas to Kent hoping there is still magic left. Meanwhile Luke came agonisingly close at the US Open before missing out in a cruel sudden death playoff.
Luke ready to spoil the party
It was so close Poulter senior nearly carried Luke’s bag at Oakmont but that storyline never happened. Now he might have to watch Luke carry off the glory instead. It is the brutal theatre of final qualifying where even family ties mean nothing. Two hundred and eighty eight golfers are chasing just twenty places split across Burnham and Berrow Dundonald West Lancashire and Cinque Ports.
They are the survivors from a fierce two thousand player regional scramble joined by a few lucky enough to hold on to world ranking exemptions. Golf loves a Cinderella story and Justin Rose proved last year that qualifiers can still bite back by finishing runner up at Troon. But most will walk away nursing crushed dreams. It is a place where golf hope goes to die.
McDowell hoping for home comforts
Graeme McDowell is another LIV escapee trying to sneak back into the big show. His 2019 homecoming at Portrush was a dream but now he is stuck chasing the final qualifying gauntlet like everyone else. His route to the Open looks about as comfortable as a links bunker in a gale.
“With the Open going back to Royal Portrush it’s been a big focus” McDowell admitted. “I’ll play Dallas and fly straight to London and I’ll go down to the qualifier. I’m going to Royal Cinque Ports. It’s maybe not the best prep in the world but I’ll be pretty fired up. I’m excited. It would certainly be bittersweet to not be there but I’ll definitely be giving it my full attention and be trying hard.”
McDowell knows this Portrush edition will be special with Shane Lowry’s 2019 triumph still fresh and Rory McIlroy rocking up as Masters winner chasing the career Grand Slam.
“It would be amazing” he added. “With everything that Rory’s done this year with Shane being the defending champion to go back to Portrush it’s going to be a special week. It goes without saying that I’d love to be a part of it.”
Big names join the scramble
McDowell begins his quest alongside Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard Petersen who impressed with a top twelve at the US Open. At Deal the ever determined Matt Southgate is back for another crack joined by England amateurs Tyler Weaver and Kris Kim. If Luke Poulter or Weaver qualify they will tune up at the European Amateur Championships before heading to Portrush. Chris Wood is another chasing Open glory after his fairytale fifth place as an amateur at Birkdale in 2008. Lee Westwood will try Dundonald hoping to revive major ambitions alongside former Ryder Cup partner Jamie Donaldson.
There is no shortage of names taking their shot including Alex Noren Adrian Meronk and Marc Warren. Danny Willett is set for West Lancashire joined by Sam Bairstow Alex Fitzpatrick Joe Dean and Sam Horsfield. No one is safe in final qualifying where reputations count for nothing.
No mercy in final qualifying
The Americans call it the longest day and that label suits Tuesday’s marathon across the four UK venues. Destiny may even come down to a sudden death playoff and the heartbreak will be real. As we all know, golf in its rawest form can be utterly savage.
The prize is the biggest stage of them all with dreams to be realised and heartbreak to be suffered. Someone will have a dinner table story for life but we hope the family stay on speaking terms afterwards.
