Darren Fichardt

Darren Fichardt's eighth appearance at The Open comes at the age of 50 thanks to a tie for fourth at the Investec South African Open in March.

Three places at Royal Portrush were up for grabs as part of The Open Qualifying Series and Fichardt was tied with Branden Grace and amateur Christiaan Maas when the final round was cancelled due to rain.

With Laurie Canter, tied for the lead with Dylan Naidoo, already exempt for The 153rd Open the five-time DP World Tour winner grabbed the final spot thanks to his higher world ranking position.

He made his Open debut back in 2000 and The 152nd Open at Royal Troon was his first seven years.

His first titles on the circuit were the 2001 Sao Paulo Open and 2003 Qatar Masters, but had to wait more than nine years before his next victory at the St-Omer Open.

Fichardt also triumphed at the 2013 Africa Open and 2017 Joburg Open, and represented his country alongside Retief Goosen at the World Cup in 2000.