PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland – The R&A CEO Mark Darbon defended the organization’s plan to introduce a Monday qualifier at next year’s Open Championship, rejecting criticism that the new format might be seen as “gimmicky.”
The R&A recently announced it will host a one-day, 18-hole qualifier at Royal Birkdale for up to 12 competitors on the Monday of tournament week. This “Last-Chance Qualifier” represents the first on-site Monday qualifier for The Open in decades.
It’s part of the R&A’s strategy to boost spectator interest beyond the four competition days, but the announcement has raised questions about how participants will be selected.
“It will absolutely be true to our broad principles around exemptions and qualifications for The Open,” Darbon said. “Everyone who hits their first tee shot here has earned the right to be here, so it will not be staged – or, to use your term, in a gimmicky fashion. It will be robust in its approach.”
The lack of details about how the field will be determined has led to speculation that the qualifier might favor popular players who haven’t otherwise qualified through merit.
The Open already has an established pathway into the championship through various channels. Players can qualify through the Official World Golf Ranking, Final Qualifying (which offered 20 spots across four sites on July 1), and the Open Qualifying Series that runs throughout the year at selected events on various tours.
What makes this different is the timing and visibility of the qualification. By hosting it at the championship venue during tournament week, the R&A is clearly hoping to create additional drama and fan engagement before the main event begins.
