Sandy Lyle, the 1985 winner, is trying to qualify for the 150th Open at St Andrews, as is inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series winner Charl Schwartzel. Lyle last played in the game’s oldest major at Carnoustie in 2018, when he was handed the honour of hitting the first tee shot as his exemption expired after turning 60.
But the two-time major winner is aiming for one last hurrah after deciding to try his luck in next week’s Final Qualifying. Lyle, 64, is in the line up at St Annes Old Links in Lancashire along with fellow Scots Danny Kay, Robbie Morrison and Calum Fyfe.
Meanwhile, 2011 Masters champion Schwartzel is in a strong field at Fairmont St Andrews as players battle it out at four venues around the UK for a minimum of 16 spots.
The South African, who tied for seventh in the 2014 Open, earned $4 million for his individual LIV Golf victory at Centurion Club recently and an additional $750,000 for being part of the winning team.