Four players qualify for The Open

Chan Kim of the US, Michael Hendry of New Zealand, Adam Bland of Australia and KT Kim of South Korea have earned places in The 146^th Open after qualifying at the Mizuno Open in Japan on Sunday.

Chan Kim led the way to Royal Birkdale after capturing a five–shot victory at JFE Setonakai Golf Club in Okayama. The 27–year–old sealed his win with a birdie on the 72nd hole to deliver a final-round 68 (–4) and finish on 15–under-par.

Chad Kim

The victory capped a dream week for the Korean–American, who secured a place in the US Open on Monday at the Sectional Qualifying event in Japan before lifting his first trophy on the Japan Golf Tour and earning a place alongside the world’s best players at The Open.

Michael Hendry finished runner–up after carding a 68 to close out the tournament on 10–under–par and earn his first trip to The Open. The 37–year-old from Auckland, who in March became the first Kiwi in 14 years to win the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open, was thrilled to finally earn a place after several near misses at the Mizuno Open including last year when he lost out by a single shot. 

Michael Hendry

Adam Bland will make a third start in The Open after finishing in third place on seven–under-par. The 34–year–old captured the Japan PGA Championship Nissin Cup Noodles Cup in 2015, earning him second position on the Japan Golf Tour money list and a place in The Open at St Andrews after he made his debut at Royal Liverpool in 2006.

Adam Bland

KT Kim is set to return to golf’s most international major championship for the sixth time after a final round 69 (–3) boosted him into a tie for fourth place alongside Australia’s Won-Joon Lee, with Kim earning the place by virtue of his higher position in the Official World Golf Ranking. The 13–time Japan Golf Tour winner, who was the defending Mizuno Open champion this week, earned his best finish in The Open in 2010 when he tied 48^th at St Andrews.

KT Kim

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