The Open Qualifying Series

Jazz Janewattananond, Yoshinori Fujimoto, Doyeob Mun and Prom Meesawat have secured their places in The 148th Open after qualifying at the SMBC Singapore Open.

The SMBC Singapore Open was played over the Serapong Couse at Sentosa Golf Club and was the third event in The Open Qualifying Series, which gives golfers around the world opportunities to book their place at Royal Portrush from 14-21 July 2019.

Janewattananond posted a fantastic final round 65 that included seven birdies to triumph at the SMBC Singapore Open for the first time, his third and biggest ever win on the Asian Tour, and clinch the first qualifying place for The Open.

The 23-year-old from Thailand finished on an 18-under-par total of 266 and he will now make his second appearance in The Open after qualifying for the first time at last year’s SMBC Singapore Open when he earned a spot at Carnoustie.

Yoshimori and Englishman Paul Casey, who had already secured his starting berth at Royal Portrush, finished two shots behind Janewattananond in a tie for second place on a 16-under-par total of 268.

The 29-year-old from Japan sealed the second available place on offer for The Open this week after carding a 68 during today’s final round. He will also make his second appearance in golf’s original Championship following his debut at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012.

Yoshimori said: “I am very much looking forward to playing in The Open at Royal Portrush. I played The Open in 2012 and it was fantastic. It’s been a while since I last played in a major championship so I am looking forward to playing alongside the best golfers in the world and testing myself against a strong field.

“I have never played Royal Portrush and I know links golf is very difficult but I enjoyed the test the last time I played so it will be great.”

Matthew Fitzpatrick finished in fourth place on a 14-under-par total of 270 and has already qualified for The Open meaning that Doyeob Mun and Prom Meesawat earned the two remaining qualifying places after completing the tournament in a tie for fifth place on nine-under-par, a total of 275.

Doyeob Mun said: “I am really pleased with my top 10 finish and securing a place in The Open. It will be my major debut and I am really excited about playing at Royal Portrush.

“It’s amazing. I have been wanting to play in a major championship ever since I started playing golf so my dream finally came true today.”

Mun will make his debut in The Open at Royal Portrush, his first ever major championship appearance, despite posting a final round 72, while Meesawat made a vital birdie putt on the 72nd hole to qualify for the Championship for the first time since 2011 at Royal St George’s.

Prom Meesawat said afterwards that “It’s nice to be going back to play in The Open this July for my second appearance in a major championship. When the putt on the last hole went in, I felt really good.

"I still remember the experience of playing in The Open at Royal St George’s. It is one of the greatest majors and I have been trying to qualify again ever since. I am happy to finally have the chance to play in The Open again.”

The next event in The Open Qualifying Series will be the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Bay Hill from 7-10 March.