The Open Championship Regional Qualifying Results: Peter Finch Among Many Names To Earn Final Qualifying Spot

HELLO ALL

Good morning and afternoon all, and welcome to Golf Monthly's coverage of The Open Championship's Regional Qualifying where over 2000 golfers are attempting to make it into Final Qualifying next week.

Currently, 15 venues around the UK are staging the tournaments and, in this blog, we will do our best to take you through every score as they come in.

Some familiar faces are out on the course, so keep up to date with all the action here!

BIG NAMES IN THE FIELD

Regional Qualifying always throws up an array of names and, among those in the field, are the likes of Robert Rock, who has won twice on the DP World Tour.

Other names include Tour players Ashley Chesters, former Walker Cup player John Gough, Premier League soccer star Jimmy Bullard and YouTuber Peter Finch, so a real mix of players are on show across the 15 venues.

THE VENUES

As mentioned, 15 venues are in play up-and-down the UK, with these including Bearwood Lakes, Caldy, Craigielaw, Enville, Ferndown, Frilford Heath, Fulford, Gog Magog, Hesketh, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Lindrick, Moor Park, North Hants, Rochester & Cobham Park and The Island.

SCORES FLYING IN

With hundreds of scores already in, the stand-out rounds include John Gough at Bearwood Lakes, who fired a three-under 69 to comfortably sit top of the standings there.

Jack South carded a two-under 70 at Enville, three players are two-under at Ferndown, while three players are three-under at Gog Magog. Bailey Gill's two-under round at Lindrick has him leading, as Max Jordan is top at Rochester & Cobham Park at three-under.

TOUR PLAYERS APLENTY AT REGIONAL QUALIFYING

HOW MANY QUALIFY FROM EACH VENUE?

Currently, it's just gone past 1pm here in the UK and, with play well underway, you may wonder how many players qualify from each venue?

Well, as of now, that number won't be confirmed until every player has tee'd off at all 15 courses. Looking around the country the majority of the final tee times will be around 2.30pm, so once we know we shall update you.

PARKER LEADS AT NORTH HANTS

No-one is yet to break par at North Hants, with Ben Parker just finishing his round to top the leaderboard at one-over. The Englishman leads Kevin Esteve by one stroke.

GOOD LUCK PETER FINCH

The YouTube star is an Open Qualifying regular and, during his round, there will be live tweeting of his progress. Finch is playing at Caldy and is level-par through two.

WHITE UNDER-PAR AT FULFORD

We have our first under-par round at Fulford and it comes courtesy of Ollie White, who cards a one-under round to top the leaderboard.

He is one clear of Will Marshall and Connor McKinney, who are level and in a share of second spot.

FANTASTIC FARRELL

We have our round of the day, so far, and it comes from OJ Farrell.

Playing Enville, the Englishman produces a four-under 68 to take the lead by two shots from Jack South, who earlier carded a two-under 70. Both men are the only players under-par at the West Midlands venue.

LAWRENCE GOES LOW AT NORTH HANTS

We have a new leader at North Hants, with Lawrence Courtney firing a one-under 69 to lead and become the first player to break par.

BURNAGE LEADS AT FERNDOWN

There had been a three-way tie at the top at Ferndown, with three players sat at two-under. However, Jake Burnage has just fired in a four-under 67 to lead by two at the Dorset venue.

UPDATE FROM THE ISLAND

Rowan Lester and Brendan McCarroll are one-under-par at The Island, with both men leading the field. Scoring has been low in Dublin, with just the pair breaking par in Ireland.

HIGH 5 FOR FRASER-LAWRENCE

Excellent golf from Nya Fraser-Lawrence at Moor Park. The Englishman produces a five-under 67 to lead by two shots.

Behind Fraser-Lawrence is Adam Batty and Habebul Islam, who both fired three-under 69s in Hertfordshire.

TURNELL GOES LOW AT NORTH HANTS

Amateur, Freddie Turnell, cruises to the top of the leaderboard at North Hants, with the Englishman producing a four-under 66 to lead by three in Hampshire

ROUNDS OF THE DAY

There have been some fine scores so far this afternoon, with the stand-outs being Nya Fraser-Lawrence's five-under at Moor Park, OJ Farrell's four-under round at Enville and Jake Burnage's four-under 67 at Ferndown.

KIM GETS UNDERWAY

Kris Kim is a future star and, at 17-years-old, he has already made a cut on the PGA Tour. Playing at Bearwood Lakes, he has just got his round underway alongside Pavan Sagoo and Lewis Blair.

FINCH MOVES TO ONE-UNDER

HARRHY GOES LOW AT FRILFORD HEATH

Excellent round from Robert Harrhy, who has just posted a six-under 66 at his home golf club of Frilford Heath. Superb stuff from the Englishman, who leads by four shots.

CONGESTED LEADERBOARDS

A number of spots are available for next weeks Final Qualifying and, looking at some of the leaderboards, we could be in for a tight finish.

At Craigielaw, five players are in a share of second at two-over-par, while three players are tied second at level-par in Fulford. At Rochester & Cobham, four players are in second at two-under-par.

TATE JUMPS TO SECOND

Robert Harrhy leads at Frilford Heath following a six-under 66 and, just 15 minutes later, Will Tate fires a three-under 69 to sit solo second.

GOUGH STAYING PUT AT THE TOP

Gough was one of the first players out at Bearwood Lakes on Monday and, following his three-under 69, he has remained on top of the leaderboard ever since.

The Englishman was the 36-hole leader at the British Masters a few years ago, and also played in the 2023 Walker Cup, enjoying two wins and two losses in the process.

CLARIDGE JUMPS TO SECOND

James Claridge produces a three-under 69 at Enville, meaning he jumps into solo second and one back of OJ Farrell. The final group are just about to get underway at the West Midlands course.

WILL OVER-PAR BE ENOUGH?

Currently, the wind is playing havoc at some of the venues and, looking at the scores, over-par is still leading at some courses.

At Caldy, no player has shot under-par, with George Holland and Caolan Burford leading at one-over. Hesketh is another venue where over-par is leading, this time being Luke Harries and Greg Holmes (A) at two-over.

JOHNSTON TAKES THE LEAD AT KILMARNOCK

James Donaldson had been leading for a while at Kilmarnock (Barassie), but he has now been overtaken by Liam Johnston, who cards a three-under 69 to move two clear. Excellent round from the Scotsman.

ACE ALERT

This was a few hours ago now, but Jack Yule of Kings Lynn recorded an ace while making his way through Gog Magog. His heroic moment arrived at the fourth hole and gave him a moment to remember forever.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to help him through to Final Qualifying as he finished with a two-over 72, sitting in a tie for 17th currently.

PETER FINCH UPDATE

The YouTube star is going along well at Caldy. He is currently one-under through seven holes.

That is made even more impressive when you consider no one has broken par yet at Caldy on The Wirral. The co-leaders are one-over-par.

HUGHES TOPS TABLE AT HESKETH

What a brilliant round from amateur, Tom Hughes at Hesketh. The Formby man has travelled over to Southport and punched in a very respectable one-over-par 72 which takes him into the lead ahead of Wales' Luke Harries and fellow English amateur, Greg Holmes of Royal Birkdale.

Three birdies and four bogeys on the day - including a gain at the par-5 17th - could be enough for Hughes.

TEENAGE TALENT

Among the amateurs in action today is 16-year-old Dominic Harrington at Ferndown. A member at the Bournemouth golf club, Harrington is exhibiting his local knowledge to stay at level par through the first third of his round.

Ferndown's leader is currently, Jake Burnage on four-under. Meanwhile, there is a log-jam of three players at two-under-par.

CURTIS CUTS THROUGH

There are nine Final Qualifying places available at Bearwood Lakes, and it appears as though Curtis Knipes is going to take one of them thanks to a one-under 71.

The Hanbury Manor pro has slotted into second place on the leaderboard, two strokes behind Berkshire's John Gough, and can probably start planning for where he might head next Tuesday.

NUMBER OF SPOTS CONFIRMED

Now that all players have teed off at each of the 15 local qualifying sites, we now know how many Final Qualifying spots are available.

There are as follows:

Bearwood Lakes - (9 places)

Caldy - (9 places)

Craigielaw - (8 places)

Enville - (9 places)

Ferndown - (9 places)

Frilford Heath - (9 places)

Fulford - (9 places)

Gog Magog - (9 places)

Hesketh - (9 places)

Kilmarnock (Barassie) - (7 places)

Lindrick - (7 places)

Moor Park - (9 places)

North Hants - (9 places)

Rochester & Cobham Park - (9 places)

The Island - (10 places)

WALKER CUP STAR FINISHES STRONG

James Ashfield represented GB&I at the 2023 Walker Cup and he could be one step closer to representing himself at the 153rd Open Championship.

Ashfield birdied the 18th at Caldy to move into a share of second with a two-over-par total of 74. Still no one has broken par in the north-west...

FOUR-TIME EUROPEAN TOUR WINNER IN GOOD POSITION

Marc Warren is a four-time winner on what is now the DP World Tour, but historic achievements count for nothing out here. It's every golfer for themselves and they all start on even par - that's the beauty of it.

Even so, the Scot has put himself in a great position to make Final Qualifying courtesy of a one-under 71 at Kilmarnock (Barassie). He's T2nd with seven spots up for grabs at that site.

FINCH IS FLYING

Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. Peter Finch might well believe that right now. Mind you, he's quite good as well. You have to be in order to make an eagle. And that's exactly what the YouTuber has done at Caldy's 11th hole.

He's two-under now and feeling good. Check out the fist pump after his eagle putt lands.

TAKING IT TO THE MAX

Caldy is proving a tough nut to crack today, but English amateur, Max Ranson has gone closest to breaking par thanks to a sparkling even-par 72 on the 6,726-yard layout. That's enough to give him the lead and likely see him into Final Qualifying.

DINWIDDIE GETTING IT DONE

Robert Dinwiddie, three times a champion on the HotelPlanner Tour and three times an Open Championship appearance maker, has recorded a superb round of 68 (-3) at Ferndown to slot into solo second at the Bournemouth layout.

Born in Scotland but representing England, Dinwiddie will hope to make it over to Northern Ireland next week when Final Qualifying takes place on Tuesday.

His three-under score came about after he holed his second stroke on the par-4 18th hole. What a way to do it!

OPPORTUNITY KNOX

There is a real logjam going on at Fulford with five players all at even par and nine spots in Final Qualifying available. Joe Knox is unlikely to have to worry about that, though, after making birdie at the 17th to reach one-under and tie the lead alongside Ollie White.

SPRINT TO THE LINE

American amateur, Ian Fritz has joined the party at Bearwood Lakes via a brilliant run towards the line. Posting one-under to share second with Curtis Knipes, Fritz birdies 15, 16 and 17 before making bogey at 18. Par at the last would have taken him into solo second.

Still, a one-under total of 71 could easily still be enough.

HUGHES INTO A SHARE

Fraser Hughes has joined the ever-expanding group on two-over at Craigielaw in Scotland. The Gleneagles member was the latest to card a 73, but it could have been so much better if his opening 33 hadn't been followed up by a 40. He's one of six in a share of second with eight places at Final Qualifying on the line there.

BOWNESS COMES UP CLUTCH

Newbury & Crookham's Harry Bowness has produced a dream back nine at North Hants Golf Club to give himself a great chance of edging through to Final Qualifying.

Having made the turn in 38 - three strokes over par - Bowness produced a bogey-free 32 coming home to finish at even par and slide into T3rd. Dreamy.

SIX BECOMES SEVEN

You're not gonna believe this... The six-way tie for second at Craigielaw has become a seven-way tie! Scottish amateur, Euan MacDonald bogeyed 17 before making birdie at 18 to give himself a chance of progressing.

At the moment, everyone is through as they are. However, should one more person score better than three-over in the remaining groups (every chance), we will be heading for a big ol' playoff.

LOCAL LAD HAS A CHANCE

Caldy's Sam Johnston has just posted a two-over 74 to join two others in a tie for fourth at his local club. The English amateur birdied three of his final six holes to pick up momentum at just the right time!

MARSH JOINS HESKETH LEAD

No one has posted an even-par (or better) score at Hesketh yet, but Huddersfield's Nick Marsh has gone close to join the lead. Marsh recorded three birdies down the back nine to sign for a one-over 72 and put one foot into Final Qualifying.

FRAZER INTO FIRST

English amateur, Frazer Jones has made his mark at Lindrick by posting a brilliant three-under 67 to move into first place on the leaderboard.

Jones - who is a member at Kirby Muxloe - only suffered one bogey in his round, and that came at the par-4 second hole. Since then, four birdies fired him to the top and likely mean he can look forward to a 36-hole run next Tuesday.

NERVOUS WAIT

Joshua Willington was three-under after nine holes at North Hants GC but suffered a birdie-free three-over back nine to slip back into a share of third along with three others. The English am will now face a pretty anxious wait to see whether he is one of the nine players who scores a Final Qualifying spot at that site.

A PLUMB DRAW

Thomas Plumb enjoyed a fantastic round at Bearwood Lakes today and is now in a share of first alongside John Gough on three-under. One of very few eagles today arrived at his second hole while Plumb went on to make the turn in just 34 strokes.

Four birdies in his final six holes helped him turn back in 35 and post a number that will likely seal a very positive future for the Englishman.

HEATING UP AT CALDY

A name like Tim Ford in a sport like golf could lead to endless puns. I'm going to behave and not make any, you'll be relieved to hear. To the matter at hand, Ford has joined the lead at Caldy after an even-par 72.

It appears as though it is significantly tougher on the front nine in the north-west, with very few players finding birdies easy to come by. Ford is no different and was actually three-over at the turn with a double-bogey six at the ninth.

Down but not out, he powered back with four birdies to take advantage of the course's scoring side and possibly book his place in Final Qualifying.

FINCH MOVES TO TWO-UNDER

What a performance this is from Peter Finch! Playing the par 4 16th at Caldy, the YouTube star puts his approach close and rolls it in for birdie. He is now two-under, which is leading the event.

TIGHT AT CRAIGIELAW

There are eight places up for grabs at Craigielaw but, right now, eight players find themselves in a share of third spot. There's potential for an 8-for-6 playoff, depending on how the late runners get on.

SINGH BRAR FINISHES ONE-UNDER

Jack Singh Brar has won on the Challenge Tour and played on the DP World Tour for a number of years. The Englishman finishes one-under at Ferndown, which currently puts him in a tie for sixth position. A total of nine places are up for grabs, so there could well be a playoff in Dorset.

NEW LEADER AT THE ISLAND

We've had a three-way tie for the lead at The Island for some time but, in the late stages, Keith Shannon has posted a two-under 70 to top the leaderboard.

BOX TIES THE LEAD AT FULFORD

Amateur, Charlie Box, birdies the final two holes to fire a one-under 71 at Fulford. He joins Joe Knox and Ollie White at the top of the leaderboard.

PETER FINCH LEADS AT CALDY

FINCH PARS THE LAST

A par at the last and Peter Finch is the first player under-par at Caldy! What a round from the social media star, who should guarantee his spot at Final Qualifying next week.

DANI HOOF JOINS THE LEAD AT ENVILLE

OJ Farrell had been leading at Enville for the majority of the day but, in the late stages, he has seen his four-under score matched by Dani Hoof. Nine places are up for grabs at this venue, so the duo should be safely through.

ALL CHANGE AT FULFORD

In the last 10 minutes we have seen a big change at Fulford, with Habib Khan firing a three-under 69 and Michael Hay producing a two-under 70. They are now first and second for the event.

PAUL McBRIDE AT THE ISLAND

Keith Shannon had recently led the field at The Island but, just now, Paul McBride has carded a three-under 69 to take the lead. A total of 10 players go through from this venue, with the cut off around two-over-par.

FINCH SEEMS HAPPY

VAN WYK FROM OUT OF NOWHERE

Hesketh has been brutal today, with no players under-par. However, that all changes as amateur, Jamie Van Wyk, fires in a two-under-par round of 69 to lead by three strokes. Excellent play from the Englishman, who will be at Final Qualifying next week.

FIRST QUALIFIERS CONFIRMED

Kilmarnock (Barassie) have confirmed their qualifiers and, in Scotland, Liam Johnston (-3), Michael Stewart (-2), Scott Henry (-2), James Donaldson (-1), Marc Warren (-1), Adam Chapman (E) and Mitchell Cowie (E) have progressed to Final Qualifying.

WALKER JOINS FINCH

Finch was outright leader for around 30 minutes but, at Caldy, home player Cameron Walker has joined the professional at one-under. The amateur shoots a 71 and will, likely, be on to Final Qualifying.

LINDRICK QUALIFIERS CONFIRMED

Along with Kilmarnock (Barassie), the qualifiers have just been confirmed at Lindrick. Amateur Frazer Jones finished three-under, while Bailey Gill (-2), Oliver Sullivan (-1), Julian Wood (-1), Sam Potter (E), Josh Crumplin (E) and Rob Harris (E) make up the seven spots.

BROOKS FIRES A FOUR-UNDER ROUND

OJ Farrell and Dani Hoof have more company at the top of the leaderboard at Enville, with Whittington Heath's Ryan Brooks firing a four-under 68 to make it a three-way tie.

PLAYOFFS LOOMING

With such close scoring, a playoff is always likely and, at Gog Magog, there are currently 15 players tied for the ninth and final qualifying place.

There are still players to come in, but there could be a massive playoff to decide the final spot!

FERNDOWN REMAINS CLOSE

Looking at the leaderboards, one that has caught my eye is Ferndown, where nine spots are available. Currently, eight players are one-under, which puts them in a share of sixth position. By my math, that means we could be going to a eight-for-three playoff!

GOG MAGOG PLAYOFF

There we have it! There will be a 15-man playoff at Gog Magog after all 15 players finished at level-par. To make things even more tense, there's just one spot up for grabs!

WHEELER MOVES INTO SECOND

Amateur Robert Wheeler finishes two-under at North Hants. That puts him solo second and two back of long-term leader Freddie Turnell.

PLENTY OF GOLF TO BE PLAYED

The final groups are coming down the final holes and, looking around the leaderboards, we are set for a number of playoffs at different courses.

Gog Magog is one of them, as is Moor Park, where eight players will battle it out for one spot. Frilford Heath has five players going for a single spot, while a 12-man playoff could be happening at Hesketh!

McGOLDRICK AT THE DEATH

Wow! Enville has seen a three-way tie at four-under but, at the death, Jacob McGoldrick gets to the clubhouse at five-under-par. He has a one shot lead following a 67, with there being a possibility of another playoff, albeit only a three-man.

SUNSET TIMINGS

For those wondering, the sun sets in the UK at around 9.30pm, so that gives us two hours, at least, of light.

FULFORD PLAYOFF

We have a five-for-two playoff at Fulford, where Jack Peters, Will Marshall, Martin Brown, Ashley Mansell and Connor McKinney all finished level-par and in a share of eighth.

THE ISLAND HEADING TO A PLAYOFF?

It's yet to be confirmed, but we could have a mammoth playoff at The Island, where nine players are in a share of ninth spot at two-over-par. Add that nine-man playoff to the 15-man at Gog Magog, the 12-man at Hesketh and the eight-man at Moor Park!

BEARWOOD LAKES HEADING FOR A PLAYOFF

Play is finishing up at Bearwood Lakes and, right now, it seems we are going to have a seven-for-two playoff, with seven men sitting at one-over-par.

BIG NAMES TO QUALIFY

As the playoffs get underway, it's worth noting which players have made it into Final Qualifying next week.

Among them are Walker Cup player John Gough, who advances from Bearwood Lakes. Peter Finch is through from Caldy, while DP World Tour players Robert Dinwiddie and Marc Warren also advance from their respective venues.

GOG MAGOG CONFIRMED

After a 15-man playoff we have the final results at Gog Magog!

The nine players making their way through to Final Qualifying next week are Ed Featherstone (-3), Timmy Moncur (-3), Jack Hawksby (-3), Giles Evans (-1), Max Weaver (-1), Max Hopkins (-1), James Jankowski (-1), Callum Hilton (-1) and Sam Byford (E).

In the playoff, it was Byford who made the only birdie as he advances on to the Final Qualifying stage.

BEARWOOD LAKES PLAYOFF

Kris Kim is among a seven-man playoff at Bearwood Lakes, where two spots are up for grabs.

ANOTHER RESULT CONFIRMED

North Hants was one of the courses with a mammoth six-man playoff in store and, at the first playoff hole, it's Charlie Preston who birdies to earn the final spot.

He joins Freddie Turnell (-4), Robert Wheeler (-2), Lawrence Courtney (-1), Harry Ellis (-1), Harry Bowness (E), Greg Hurley (E), Josh McCartain (E) and Joshua Millington (E).

ROCHESTER & COBHAM PARK QUALIFIERS

Max Jordan (-3), Jonathan Exon-Taylor (-2), Oliver Lewis-Perkins (-2), Finn Lord (-2) and Ant Tarchetti (-2) made it through in regulation play, with a seven-for-four playoff then taking place.

In the playoff, Jack Lee, Carl Burrows, Raul Gomez and Sam Smitherman advanced, joining the fivesome in Final Qualifying next week.

RESULTS COMING IN THICK AND FAST

After Rochester & Cobham Park's results, it's Frilford Heath next, with Robert Harrhy (-6), Will Tate (-3), Matthew Hibbs (-3), Harry Richardson (-3), Jamie Dick (-2), Ollie Brimfield (-2), Max Nicholls (-2) and William Robbins (-2) qualifying in regulation play.

In the five-man playoff, Alex Ching managed to outlast the competition, eventually winning to make it through in Oxfordshire.

ENVILLE AND HESKETH CONFIRMED

The playoffs are over at Enville and Hesketh, with Joel Tarry making it through the playoff in Enville and Matt Lever overcoming a huge 12-man playoff in Hesketh!

MOOR PARK QUALIFIERS

Another venue that ended in a playoff was at Moor Park and, in the eight-man playoff, it was Moor Park's own Owen Benson who secured the final spot. He joins the other eight qualifiers in Final Qualifying next week.

KIM AMONG QUALIFIERS AT BEARWOOD LAKES

The 17-year-old moves on to Final Qualifying after a seven-for-two playoff at Bearwood Lakes. Charlie Townsend was the other man to qualify from the seven-way playoff.

FULFORD RESULTS

The 11th venue has confirmed its results and, in regulation play, Huey Cunningham (-3), Habib Khan (-3), Michael Hay (-2), Ashton Turner (-1), Charlie Box (-1), Joe Knox (-1) and Ollie White (-1) qualified.

In the five-for-two playoff, Ashley Mansell and Jack Peters came through to secure the final two spots in North Yorkshire.

EIGHT MAN PLAYOFF COMES TO AN END

Eight players found themselves in a playoff at Craigielaw after shooting two-over-par totals.

Earlier in the day, Jack McDonald and Matthew Wilson made it through at level-par and, in the eight-for-six playoff, it was Jordan Sundborg, Euan MacDonald, Oliver Mukherjee, Archie Finnie, Ross Munro and Joe Bryce who made it through.

RESULTS FROM THE ISLAND

The Island has confirmed its results and, in the playoff, Niall Kearney and Alex Maguire managed to make it through and qualify.

Paul McBride (-3), Keith Shannon (-2), Rowan Lester (-1), Finlay Eager (-1), Ronan Mullarney (-1), Brendan McCarroll (-1), Alex Hietala (+1) and Ruaidhri McGee (+1) secured qualification in regulation play.

ONE MORE TO GO

The story of the day came from Caldy, where Peter Finch topped the table alongside Cameron Walker at one-under-par.

In the five-man playoff, Sam Johnston and Thomas Matthews overcame the competition to join the remaining seven qualifiers in brutal conditions at Caldy.

FERNDOWN TO FINISH

The 15th and final venue has confirmed its results and, in an eight-for-three playoff, it's Challenge Tour player Jack Singh Brar who qualifies alongside Jake Bolton and Craig Sutherland.

That brings to an end an epic day of Regional Qualifying, where there were stories galore up-and-down the UK!

THANK YOU ALL AND GOODNIGHT

And just like that, Open Regional Qualifying is over! Thank you all for reading our blog and be sure to check the Golf Monthly website on Tuesday 1st July, when we will be back again for Final Qualifying.

As we bid you farewell, we leave you this from Peter Finch, who was the story of the day after his excellent one-under-par round.