As the countdown continues to the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, 18 LIV Golf players will take center stage in Final Qualifying on Tuesday, July 2. With just 20 spots available across four UK venues, this is the last chance for non-exempt players—including some of LIV’s most seasoned names—to book their place in golf’s oldest and most prestigious major.
These 18 players are spread across four courses: Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports, and West Lancashire. Each venue will award five qualifying places after 36 holes of stroke play.
Among the 18 LIV Golfers participating, several notable names stand out — including major champions and former PGA Tour winners. The full list includes:
• Graeme McDowell – The 2010 U.S. Open champion, and a local Northern Irishman, will be especially motivated to return to Royal Portrush.
• Bernd Wiesberger – The Austrian is looking to return to major contention after a strong start to his LIV Golf stint.
• Branden Grace – A former Open record-holder with a 62 at Royal Birkdale in 2017.
• Marc Leishman – The Australian veteran is no stranger to The Open, with several top finishes in past editions.
• Carlos Ortiz – The Mexican golfer has shown flashes of brilliance on LIV and is aiming to bring that form to the Open stage.
• Jediah Morgan, Laurie Canter, David Puig, Chase Koepka, and Scott Vincent are among the younger LIV names hungry for a breakthrough.
• Sam Horsfield, Richard Bland, Wade Ormsby, James Piot, Sihwan Kim, Kalle Samooja, and Kieran Vincent round out the list of hopefuls.
Burnham & Berrow
Five LIV stars will battle tough seaside conditions in Somerset:
• Abraham Ancer – The Mexican star is chasing his fourth Open appearance.
• Paul Casey – A major veteran who finished T3 at The Open in 2010.
• Anirban Lahiri – Known for his steady game and international experience.
• Caleb Surratt – The young American will try to earn a major debut.
• Jinichiro Kozuma – The Japanese player is an outsider with plenty of grit.
Dundonald Links
Three LIV players head to Scotland’s Ayrshire coast:
• Lee Westwood – A former Open runner-up and Ryder Cup legend.
• Branden Grace – Holds the record for lowest round in major history (62).
• Adrian Meronk – Poland’s top golfer, seeking to add major credentials.
Royal Cinque Ports
Six players will tee it up at the Kent links:
• Graeme McDowell – 2010 U.S. Open champion and local favorite in Northern Ireland.
• Ian Poulter – Renowned Ryder Cup warrior looking for one more Open run.
• David Puig – Young Spaniard making waves on the LIV circuit.
• Dean Burmester – South African bomber known for thriving in tough conditions.
• Peter Uihlein – A former U.S. Amateur champion with links experience.
• Luis Masaveu – One of the lesser-known names looking to make a splash.
West Lancashire
Four LIV players will test themselves in Merseyside:
• Lucas Herbert – The Aussie has solid major and links form.
• Sam Horsfield – A talented Englishman returning from injury.
• Andy Ogletree – U.S. Amateur champion looking to crack into major fields.
• Harold Varner III – Known for his charisma and explosive game.
What’s at Stake?
While many top players are already locked in for Royal Portrush, these LIV golfers are still fighting for entry due to LIV’s lack of Official World Golf Ranking points. The Open’s tradition of Final Qualifying offers them a rare opportunity to compete on one of golf’s biggest stages—if they can navigate two grueling rounds under pressure.
Royal Portrush, which last hosted The Open in 2019, promises drama, deep rough, and roaring crowds. For the 18 LIV hopefuls, Tuesday will be a make-or-break moment—and perhaps, the start of a career-defining week.
