How qualifying works

Some of the world’s best golfers have already secured their spot at The 153rd Open.

But for many others the road to Royal Portrush is uncertain and they’ll need to qualify for the chance to compete for the famous Claret Jug.

There are several different ways to do this, and each year the qualification pathways are reviewed to ensure the best golfers from leading professional tours and amateur championships have the chance to enter the field in golf’s original championship.

Players already exempt

Players who finished in the Top 10, including ties, at The 152nd Open last year are automatically exempt, along with a number of Champion Golfers who secured their place by winning the Claret Jug.

The Top 30 from the final FedExCup points list in 2024, the top 25 in the Final Race to Dubai last year, and the BMW PGA Championship winners from 2022 to 2024 are also automatically entered into the field.

This adds to exemptions for the 2024 Olympic Champion; 2024 US Amateur Champion, 2024 Senior Open Champion; and 2024 Mark H McCormack Medal winner for the leading male in the 2024 World Amateur Golf Rankings.

This year, for the first time, a new category has been introduced enabling players competing in LIV Golf to earn a place. This will go to the leading player not already exempt in the Top 5 of the 2025 Individual Season Standings following the completion of LIV Golf Dallas.

There are 28 different exemption categories and all of these, along with a list of players already exempt, can be found here.

Open Qualifying Series

The Open Qualifying Series (OQS) offers golfers around the world the opportunity to punch their ticket to The 153rd Open.

The highest-placed finisher at each OQS event, who is not already exempt, will automatically qualify. In total there are 11 OQS events, excluding Regional and Final Qualifying, running between 28 November 2024 and 13 July 2025.

The first OQS event was the ISPS Handa Australian Open in late 2024 – where three places were awarded – and the final OQS event will be the Genesis Scottish Open from 10-13 July where a final three places will be available.

See a full list of OQS events here.

Regional and Final Qualifying

Regional and Final Qualifying events are open to professional and amateur golfers worldwide who meet the entry criteria.

A total of 15 different venues around Great Britain and Ireland will host Regional Qualifying events on 23 June where players will compete to make it through Final Qualifying.

Final Qualifying will then take place at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire on Tuesday 1 July.

From this the qualifying players will earn a spot at The 153rd Open, and compete to be named Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal Portrush in July.

Find further details on Final Qualifying here.