Laurie Canter

Had his first top-20 in a major when he tied for 17th at Royal Liverpool in 2023, and that came after winning the 36-hole Final Qualifying competition at Royal Porthcawl by four strokes.

Laurie Canter captured his first DP World Tour title at last season’s European Open after failing in a play-off to retain his status on the LIV Golf circuit, which he had joined at its launch in 2022.

He added a second crown this February in Bahrain and almost a third at the Investec South African Open four weeks later, losing a play-off to Dylan Naidoo.

Canter first played The Open as an amateur at St Andrews in 2010 and turned professional the following year.

It took him until 2017 to return to The Open and on that occasion he had been part of a three-man play-off for the last of three Royal Birkdale spots from the Final Qualifying event at Hollinwell, which he survived at the third extra hole.

Canter was the joint runner-up to Billy Horschel in the 2021 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and secured his Royal Portrush place by finishing 24th on last season’s Race to Dubai standings.

As a promising tennis player in his younger days he once played against Andy Murray.