Hiroshi Iwata

Back for his first Open Championship appearance since 2015 after taking the place offered to the leading non-exempt player on this season’s Japan Tour money list following the Tour Championship on June 4.

Order of Merit leader Takumi Kanaya, winner of the final counting event, already had his spot at Royal Liverpool secured, but Iwata, now 42, was rewarded following two runners-up finishes and a third late last year, then his fifth title on the circuit at The Crowns in April and another joint second place at the Tour Championship.

Made his Open debut in 2008, but then did not play in the Championship again until 2014, the year which also saw him finish joint third at the HSBC Champions World Championship in China, a stroke behind Bubba Watson and Tim Clark.

The following season his second-round 63 at Whistling Straits on his PGA Championship debut equalled the major record at the time and he went on to finish joint 21st.

His father played on the Japan Senior Tour.