Liam Nolan

One of five amateurs to come through the 36-hole Final Qualifying competitions on July 2, Nolan made a five-foot par save on the final green at Dundonald Links to avoid dropping into what would have been a four-man play-off for the last two of four places on offer. 

Nolan had rounds of 69 and 70 to tie for second place on five-under-par with Spaniard Angel Hidalgo, three behind winner Sam Hutsby.

The Galway golfer said: "It's going to be crazy. I feel like I’ve had a very good amateur career, but this a nice one to tick off, playing in my first major. It’s hard to process the fact that I’m going to the Open. I’m looking forward to everything - the crowds, it being in Scotland, the home of golf.”

The 24-year-old played in last year’s Walker Cup at St Andrews, winning his first two games as Great Britain and Ireland led going into the concluding session.

But having beaten Austin Greaser in the opening singles he could not repeat it when they met again and the Americans won by three points. He was the runner-up in the Irish Amateur Open this season and the winner after a play-off of last year’s English stroke play title.