(Melbourne, Australia) — Dimitrios Papadatos, Ben Campbell and Matthew Griffin have qualified for The 150th Open at St Andrews after earning places through the Vic Open.
The Vic Open was played at 13 Beach Golf Links in Melbourne and was the third event in The Open Qualifying Series, which gives golfers around the world opportunities to book their place for this historic occasion at St Andrews from 10-17 July.
Papadatos will return to play in The Open for the first time since Royal Portrush in 2019 after edging out Campbell to win the event by one stroke on a 21-under-par total of 267.
“The Open is an added bonus,” said Papadatos. “I was just trying to get the win today so that was definitely the highlight. I’ll worry about The Open when it comes. To win this is outstanding.
“I’ve played the Dunhill Links about four times. I haven’t had much luck over there. I struggle in the cold and the wind so I’ve got a bit of work to do. But I’m just looking forward to it. It’s going to be awesome.
“I played Royal Portrush when I finished second at the Australian Open in 2019 and that was pretty cool. So I know what that’s all about now.”
“It’s always nice to finish second if you have a bonus like that,” said Campbell on securing his place at St Andrews, where he will make his debut appearance in a major championship.
“I shot six under to finish today and it’s going to be nice heading to St Andrews. I’ve played there quite a bit, a lot as an amateur. It should be awesome.
“I played the St Andrews Links Trophy. I actually went close to winning it one year. I would’ve played 20 times around the Old Course, and it’ll be quite nice having played there so much feeling a little bit more comfortable.”
Griffin secured the final place in The Open with a par at the last hole to finish on a 16-under-par total of 272. He will play in the Championship for the first time since Royal Birkdale in 2017.
“When I saw the leaderboard on the 17th, I saw that Dimi and Ben had kicked away so I was then just trying to qualify for The Open. It’s very nice.
“This will be my second Open. I played Royal Birkdale (in 2017), and missed the cut by two shots. I played all right. It was an amazing experience. I think that first Open you’re really just soaking it in. This one, I’ll soak it in but I’ll get there and really try to compete. St Andrews for the 150th, that’s going to be extra special.”
The next event in The Open Qualifying Series is the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, taking place from 3-6 March at Bay Hill, Florida.
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