Spots in The Open for Janewattananond, Boonma, Crocker and Herbert
(L-R) Sean Crocker, Danthai Boonma, Jazz Janewattananond and Lucas Herbert qualify for The 147th Open at the SMBC Singapore Open. Credit The R&A/Getty Images
Jazz Janewattananond, Danthai Boonma, Sean Crocker and Lucas Herbert secured their places in The 147th Open after qualifying at the SMBC Singapore Open.
The tournament is co-sanctioned between the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour and was the third event in The Open Qualifying Series, which gives players the chance to book their place at Carnoustie from 15-22 July 2018.
All four players will make their first appearance in The Open at the iconic Scottish links after finishing as the leading four players in the top 12 and ties who were not already exempt.
Janewattananond and Boonma, both from Thailand, finished tied for fourth place on an eight-under-par total of 276, six strokes behind winner Sergio Garcia and one shot behind Satoshi Kodaira and Shaun Norris who were tied for second place. Garcia, Kodaira and Norris have already secured their places in The Open this July.
Janewattananond grasped the first qualifying place courtesy of his higher position in the Official World Golf Ranking and carded a steady level-par 71 during today’s final round on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.
Boonma took the second qualifying place despite posting a round of 73, two-over-par, and can look back on yesterday’s third round 65 as a primary factor in leading to his debut appearance in golf’s most international major championship.
Crocker rolled in four birdies on his way to a two-under-par 69 to finish tied for sixth place with Emirates Australian Open champion Cameron Davis, who secured his place in The Open in November last year following his win at The Australian Golf Club.
The American, who is the son of Zimbabwean international cricketer Gary Crocker and has been mentored by 1994 Champion Golfer of the Year Nick Price, claimed the third qualifying place on a seven-under-par total of 277.
Herbert finished in a tie for eighth place one shot further back on six-under-par alongside Gavin Green, Miguel Tabuena and Berry Henson.
Green had already sealed his place at Carnoustie after topping the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit and Herbert faced a nervous moment when Henson had a birdie putt to move to seven-under-par on the final hole.
The Australian’s anxiety turned to elation as the attempt fell short of the hole and Herbert secured the final qualifying place courtesy of his higher position in the Official World Golf Ranking, ahead of both Henson and Tabuena.
Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand)
“I wasn’t expecting to qualify for The Open today, but I am glad that I am in. I am very excited about teeing it up at Carnoustie, but also very nervous about playing in it even though it is a few months away.
“It is a dream come true to be playing The Open. I can’t wait to be there.”
Danthai Boonma (Thailand)
“I am very happy and proud of qualifying for The Open, which is my first major championship. I am looking forward to the challenge and experience of playing Carnoustie.”
Sean Crocker (USA)
“To qualify for The Open is unreal, it’s something you dream of. To play in your first major is the coolest thing ever. I remember Tiger Woods winning The Open back in the day, the one thing you always did was tune in when it was on.
“I don’t know too much about Carnoustie but I’m excited to go over to Scotland. It will be my first time over there so I’ll see if I can get an invite to play the Scottish Open but if not, I’ll maybe head out a week early and play some golf.”
Lucas Herbert (Australia)
“To win a major is a career goal of mine so obviously the first step is to get into one. To play in The Open will be a great experience.
“I played Carnoustie at The Amateur Championship so I’ve seen the course in tournament conditions. It’s really tough but I took away a lot experience of playing there and I’ll look to draw upon that.
“I remember watching Padraig Harrington winning The Open after the play-off and Sergio just missing that putt just before. Those were my first memories of watching The Open.”
The Open Qualifying Series
| The Open Qualifying Series | Event | No of places | Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOQS-Australia | Emirates Australian Open, 23-26 Nov 2017, The Australian | 3 places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties | Cameron Davis, Jonas Blixt, Matt Jones |
| TOQS-South Africa | Joburg Open, 7-10 Dec, 2017, Randpark | 3 places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties | Shubhankar Sharma, Erik van Rooyen, Shaun Norris |
| TOQS-Singapore | SMBC Singapore Open, 18-21 Jan, 2018, Sentosa Golf Club | 4 places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties | Jazz Janewattananond, Danthai Boonma, Sean Crocker, Lucas Herbert |
| TOQS-Japan | Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open, 24-27 May 2018, The Royal Golf Club | 4 places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties | |
| TOQS-Korea | KOLON Korea Open, 21-24 June 2018, Woo Jeong Hills Country Club | 2 places to the leading two players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 8 and ties | |
| TOQS-France | HNA Open de France, 28 June-1 July 2018. Le Golf National | 3 places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties | |
| TOQS-USA | The National, 28 June-1 July 2018. Venue TBC | 4 places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties | |
| TOQS-Final Qualifying | 3 July 2018, Notts (Hollinwell), Prince’s, The Renaissance Club, St Annes Old Links | 12(3 at each venue) | |
| TOQS-Ireland | Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, 5-8 July 2018, Ballyliffin | 3 places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties | |
| TOQS-USA | The Greenbrier Classic, 5-8 July 2018, The Old White TPC | 4 places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties | |
| TOQS-Scotland | Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, 12-15 July 2018, Gullane | 3 places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties | |
| TOQS-USA | John Deere Classic, 12-15 July 2018, TPC Deere Run | 1 place to the leading player (not otherwise exempt) who finishes in the top five and ties |
