England’s Richard Mansell equalled the course record at the Genesis Scottish Open to book his place in the 152nd Open Championship.
Mansell was one over par after two holes in his final round at the Renaissance Club but then birdied four of the front nine and six more of the back nine from 29 to card a superb 61, equalling the mark set by Ben An last year.
That took Mansell to 13 under par and secured him the last of three places available at Royal Troon behind compatriot Aaron Rai and Swede Alex Noren.
Mansell lines up his final shot on the 18th hole
Rai finished 14 under after a closing 63, with Noren at 13 under after a 65.
“I’ve been struggling with my game lately,” Mansell admitted.
“I talked to my manager for about three hours last night, and I was complaining a little bit, as golfers do, about my level of play and that kind of thing.
“I said the way I’m playing I can’t have a low round right now. He said, ‘Well, it’s 65 everywhere.’ I said, ‘Why not 61?’ and I birdied the last hole for 61.
“It made me realise even more that this sport is just crazy and you’re never as far as you think. Hopefully this can kick-start my season now and it’s great to be competing in the Open.”
Rai insisted he had not thought about securing a place at The Open after starting the day 10 shots off the lead, adding: “Obviously I knew there were three places available at the start of the week.
“I was aware of that yesterday and I also felt like I was way off today and I didn’t feel very good about my level of play. It didn’t really cross my mind until the end of the round.”
And after?
Sky Sports will once again host The Open, with 24-hour coverage on Sky Sports Golf and live coverage of all seven days of the tournament week at Royal Troon. Live coverage of the first round begins on Thursday at 6.30am. Stream The Open and other top sports with NOW.
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