Ronan Mullarney

Former R&A Foundation scholar Mullarney will line up in his first Open Championship after sharing second place with Jamie Rutherford in the 36-hole Final Qualifying competition at Prince’s in Kent on June 28.

Four places at St Andrews were up for grabs from the field of 72 professionals and amateurs and the Galway player, who turned professional only two years ago, had rounds of 70 and 71 for a three under par total of 141, two behind winner Matthew Ford.

“It reminded me of my amateur days,” he said. “I’m playing the EuroPro Tour and the courses are very different to this. I’ve played at St Andrews a number of times in the past including in The R&A Student Series and the St Andrews Links Trophy. There’s no excuses for not knowing the place!”

He stood 1,804th on the world rankings going into the qualifier, but earlier in June tied for 12th in the EuroPro circuit’s World Snooker and Jessie May Champs.

He has also competed on the European Challenge Tour and Alps Tour.