Mizuno Open

Scott Vincent, Anthony Quayle, Brad Kennedy and Justin De Los Santos all earned places in The 150th Open as they finished as the top four at the Mizuno Open.

Vincent beat Quayle on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off to take the title at JFE Setonaikai Golf Club, but both men had reason to celebrate having claimed two of the four spots available at St Andrews in the latest Open Qualifying Series event.

Along with Kennedy and De Los Santos, Vincent and Quayle can now look forward to trips to the Home of Golf for a landmark Championship from 10-17 July.

All bar Kennedy will also be making their Major Championship debuts in The 150th Open, making their visits to St Andrews even more special.

Vincent was the star performer on the final day. Having teed off seven behind Quayle, he followed an eagle at the second with five birdies in a bogey-free 65.

Two pars on 18 in the subsequent play-off were enough to secure the Zimbabwean a third Japan Golf Tour title in the space of 10 months, as Quayle made bogey on the second extra hole.

"I'm really excited about playing my first Major, especially at St Andrews, the Home of Golf," said Vincent. "It was a goal of mine, starting the year, to try to get into one of the Majors. So this is special and I'm very happy."

Quayle had been four clear overnight and although he was reeled in by Vincent on the final day, the Australian never looked like missing out on a top-four finish and a spot in The 150th Open as he ended his week with a level-par 72.

"The 150th Open at St Andrews is probably about as exciting and historic as it gets," said Quayle. "To experience the atmosphere and vibe around the Championship and to see some of the players I have idolised my whole life will be really exciting."

Having ended a nine-year wait for his third Open appearance in 2021, Quayle’s fellow Australian Kennedy will make an immediate return to the Championship after a two-under 70 on Sunday lifted him to 10 under.

"It's going to be exciting," said Kennedy of his qualification for The 150th Open. "The crowd is going to be unbelievable and the St Andrews Old Course is one of those golfing moments you always dream about."

De Los Santos of the Philippines was one shot further back in fourth. He carded seven birdies in his final-round 68 – including gains on each of the last two holes.

"It's an incredible opportunity for me," said De Los Santos. This will be my first time, my first Major, so it will be awesome to play there. I haven't been to Europe at all."

Thanyakon Khrongpha also finished strongly with a 69, but his eight-under total was only good enough for fifth place.

A trio of Japanese players – Shingo Katayama, Shintaro Kobayashi and Ryuichi Oiwa – had been tied for second through 54 holes, but all three slipped back on the final day.

Katayama, a veteran of seven Open appearances who made his debut at golf’s original Championship back in 1999, and Kobayashi each carded one-over 73s to finish tied-sixth at seven under alongside Taisei Shimizu (71) and Michael Hendry (71).

Oiwa closed with a 74, meaning he had to settle for joint-10th place.