Lee Westwood Secures His Spot at The Open 2025
English golfer Lee Westwood, with rounds of 70-67 at Dundonald Links, has qualified for The Open, marking his return to a major since joining LIV Golf three years ago. Westwood was one of the 20 players who earned their place at Royal Portrush through the Final Regional Qualifying, held at four courses in England and Scotland. Each of these courses awarded five spots. The experienced 52-year-old golfer, with 25 titles on the European Tour and three Order of Merit titles, led the standings at Dundonald with a total of 7 under par, 137.The Open will take place from July 17 to 20 at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, where Shane Lowry won in 2019. Westwood was one stroke off the lead after 36 holes in that tournament, finishing in a tie for fourth place, nine strokes behind Lowry. Among the qualifiers is also Richard Teder, who will become the first Estonian player to compete in golf’s oldest championship. Other LIV Golf players, such as Australia’s Lucas Herbert and South Africa’s Dean Burmester, also secured their participation in The Open. Herbert led the qualifying at West Lancashire, while Burmester did the same at Royal Cinque Ports. Graeme McDowell, who grew up in Portrush, was one of the five LIV players who failed to qualify at Royal Cinque Ports. Ian Poulter and his son Luke, 21, also missed out. Seven other LIV players failed to qualify, either finishing outside the top five or withdrawing during the round. Three more withdrew before starting. Westwood, who was world number 1 at the end of 2010, was considered among the best who never won a major, being twice runner-up in the Masters and missing a playoff by one stroke in the U.S. Open (2008 at Torrey Pines) and the British Open (2009 at Turnberry).I’ve always said it’s the biggest championship in golf and, as a British player, you get phenomenal support. I’m looking forward to enjoying the week at Portrush, seeing some old friends and enjoying that golf course.
Lee Westwood
