Bearsted golfer Matt Ford on qualifying for the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews next month

Matt Ford took inspiration from his family to qualify for The Open Championship for the first time in his career.

Ford will take his place among golf’s elite players at St Andrews next month after winning the final qualifying event at Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich on Tuesday.

The 44-year-old from Bearsted finished two shots clear of the field on five-under to secure his place at golf’s most famous tournament for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Ford. “I’ve tried for over 20 years to get there and been close a few times but to finally get in is great.

“Open qualifying is hard, there was one extra spot this year which is good, but normally it’s three golfers out of 80-odd people at each of the four venues.

“The standard is always pretty decent as people have either qualified or they’ve already got a world ranking to go straight there. It’s always going to be a low score to get through so it’s hard.

“I’ve been a little bit unlucky over the years so you do wonder if it’s ever going to happen. There’s people that have played less golf than me and have got in The Open so you know all you have to do is play well on that day and you have a chance.

“I felt quite confident going in, for whatever reason, and now I’ve got this exciting opportunity to come.”

It proved a topsy-turvy final round at Prince’s for Ford, who was on course to qualify having reached five-under after eight holes of his second round. He then dropped four shots in quick succession before turning it around.

Perhaps some of that late inspiration came from children Oscar and Teagan, who watched Ford’s last six holes after finishing school.

“In previous years I’ve shot myself in the foot early on and left myself too much to do,” reflected