Rochester & Cobham’s Zak Morgan produced a magnificent second round during Final Qualifying for The Open on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough to secure his place in the Championship.
Morgan, from Maidstone, was among the Kent hopefuls taking part in Final Qualifying for the 154th Championship at Royal Birkdale and was one of four players representing Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club.
Zak Morgan (Rochester & Cobham) was once again among the hopefuls at Final Qualifying for The Open
The PGA professional signed for a four-under-par 67 at Burnham & Berrow in Somerset but was left to rue an opening 74, finishing tied 25th.
Final Qualifying took place across four venues, with 288 players competing for 20 places in The Open field – five from each course.
Deal’s Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club was one of the four Final Qualifying venues, alongside Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, Dundonald Links and West Lancashire Golf Club.
Jordan Godwin for Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club at the Final Qualifying Picture: Stuart Watson
South African MJ Daffue claimed top honours alongside Baard Bjoernevik Skogen at Royal Cinque Ports.
With rounds of 67, 65 for a total of 12-under-par 132, Daffue will make his debut at Royal Birkdale. His day was highlighted by back-to-back eagles on the par-4 sixth and seventh holes.
Skogen, who is ranked 771st on the Official World Golf Ranking, will also make his first appearance at The Open. The Norwegian made just one bogey in 36 holes as he recorded rounds of 68, 64 to hold a share of the lead at the end of the day.
England’s Matthew Southgate has come through Final Qualifying for a remarkable sixth time with four of those occasions occurring on the Deal layout. He recorded rounds of 68 and 66 for a total of 10-under-par 134.
American Peter Uihlein played at Royal Cinque Ports for a second consecutive year. Having led after the first round, he qualified with rounds of 66 and 69 to be one shot behind Southgate.
Frenchman Antoine Rozner closed his round with three consecutive birdies to book his place – the second time he has qualified at Royal Cinque Ports after he was also successful there in 2023. He qualified with rounds of 69 and 67 for a total of eight-under-par 136.
Tom Sherreard representing Growing Golf at the 1st tee of Final Qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports Picture: Stuart WatsonMatthew Ford for Golf Gear Direct Picture: Stuart Watson
Alfie Plant, who plays out of Bromley’s Sundridge Park, closed with a 36-hole total of 138, missing out by two shots.
Kent’s Matt Ford (Golf Gear Direct, Ashford) tied for 26th on level par, alongside fellow county golfer Tom Sherreard (Growing Golf Academy, Kings Hill).
Rochester & Cobham amateur Luke Jenkins carded rounds of 75 and 76, while Sene Valley’s Finn Lord also finished seven over after matching rounds of 75 and 76 around the Deal links.
Teenager Haiden Matos representing Dartford Golf Club at the Final Qualifying Picture: Stuart WatsonRyan Boyns of Weald of Kent Golf Club finished T56 Picture: Stuart Watson
One shot further back was Rochester & Cobham’s Jordan Godwin, who recovered from an opening 80 with a second-round 72, while Royal St George’s Oliver Daws posted two rounds of 76.
Dartford’s teenage golfer Haiden Matos – who shone during regional qualifying – also improved in the second round, following an opening 81 with a 72 to finish nine over.
Weald of Kent’s Ryan Boyns and Knole Park’s Max Moseley also finished on 153, nine over par.
Oliver Daws for Royal St.George’s Golf Club at Final Qualifying Picture: Stuart WatsonTom Sherreard (Growing Golf) during FQ for The 154th Open Picture: Stuart Watson
A handful of Kent golfers were also in action at Burnham & Berrow, with Morgan leading the county challenge.
American James Nicholas topped the leaderboard on 10-under-par after a 132 total, one shot ahead of compatriot Caleb Surratt. Three players shared third on eight-under to complete the five qualifiers.
Justin Chenu, another Rochester & Cobham player, finished five over after rounds of 74 and 73.
Luke Jenkins, one of four golfers representing Rochester & Cobham Park Picture: Stuart WatsonMax Moseley representing Knole Park Golf Club Picture: Stuart Watson
Tony Adams (Princes) finished 17 over after a 159 total, while Todd Adcock (Tonbridge Golf Centre) retired.
Royal Birkdale will stage The Open for the 11th time next month, with play beginning on Thursday, July 16, and continuing over four days.