Former Premier League stars fall short in bids to qualify for The Open

Former Premier League footballers Jimmy Bullard and Peter Odemwingie have both fallen short in their ambitious attempts to qualify for The Open via Regional Qualifying.

Over 2,000 golfers competed across 16 venues for the one-day event on Monday, with each 18-hole tournament offering places into Final Qualifying - played across two rounds on four different courses - on June 30.

Bullard has played in PGA EuroTour events previously and competed in a Legends Tour event last May, but the former Wigan and Fulham midfielder was unable to find the top-eight finish at Rochester & Cobham Park required to progress.

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A one-over 72 left him outside of the top 15 on the leaderboard, while Odemwingie - who has graduated as a PGA professional since retirement from football - struggled to a 12-over 84 at Enville.

YouTuber Peter Finch progressed from Regional Qualifying last year but was unable to match his 2025 efforts, carding a two-over 72 at Lindrick, as Rick Shiels ended with a four-over 76 at Caldy.

Fellow content creator George Bryan, one half of the Bryan Bros Golf YouTube channel alongside former PGA Tour player Wesley Bryan, secured his spot into Final Qualifying with a three-under 68 at Hesketh.

Ex-Somerset cricketer Peter Trego carded an eight-over 80 at Minchinhampton and Kevin Esteve, who previously appeared in the Winter Olympics, carded a three-over 73 at North Hants.

The 16 Regional Qualifying venues are: Bearwood Lakes, Caldy, Chart Hills, Craigielaw, Enville, Ferndown, Fulford, Gog Magog, Hesketh, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Lindrick, Minchinhampton, Moor Park, North Hants, Rochester & Cobham Park and The Island.

Final Qualifying will take place at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire. The Open will then be held at Royal Birkdale from July 16-19, live on Sky Sports.

Scottie Scheffler will return as defending champion after last year's victory at Royal Portrush saw him win the third leg of the career Grand Slam, while Rory McIlroy will chase a a second major of the season and Tommy Fleetwood will be among the favourites on home soil.

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