McKibbin and Crocker make it to Troon

Tom McKibbin and Sean Crocker crucially hit form on the final day at the Italian Open to secure their places in The 152nd Open.

A superb final-round 65 lifted McKibbin to the top of the leaderboard alongside Marcel Siem at Adriatic Golf Club. The youngster was beaten in a sudden-death play-off by Siem, who was already exempt for The 152nd Open, but McKibbin at least had the significant consolation of earning a place at Royal Troon through The Open Qualifying Series.

McKibbin, who grew up playing at Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland like Rory McIlroy, is now set to make his debut in golf’s original Championship a month on from his first major appearance at the US Open, where he played alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler in the final round.

Crocker finished one shot outside the play-off following a three-under 68 on Sunday. The American shared third with Jannik De Bruyn but claimed the second qualifying place on offer thanks to his superior world ranking.

He will now make his second Open appearance, six years on from tying for 47th at Carnoustie.

The Italian Open is part of The Open Qualifying Series. After Final Qualifying on Tuesday 2 July, there will be two further events in the Series, with Open places up for grabs at the John Deere Classic and Genesis Scottish Open.

Earlier this weekend, Tommy Morrison of the United States won the European Amateur Championship to book his place at Royal Troon, while Scotland’s Calum Scott also qualified via The Open Amateur Series.