​The field for the final major of the men’s golf season is nearly complete, with 156 players in the mix as the 154th British Open is set to tee off Thursday at Royal Birkdale. On Monday, July 13, one last place remains up for grabs through a new Last-Chance Qualifier, a one-day 18-hole shootout at the host course. The winner earns entry into the Open, adding a dramatic finale to a week already packed with high-stakes competition. The Last-Chance Qualifier was created under R&A criteria designed to fill the remaining spots when exemptions fall short. The selection criteria for this event include the top two non-exempt players in the Official World Golf Rankings, the runner-up in the British Amateur, and players who were close to automatic qualification by just one spot.
Leading the 12-player field for the Last-Chance Qualifier is Aldrich Potgieter, a South African talent who will be bidding to extend his momentum into the Open after a standout early career. Potgieter, 21, garnered attention for his power off the tee and his success on the amateur circuit, capturing the 2022 British Amateur before turning professional the next year. He has already recorded victory on the PGA Tour, earning a playoff win at the 2025 Rocket Classic. Potgieter’s combination of length, accuracy, and competitive finishing ability makes him a strong favorite to secure the final Open berth if he can maintain his level under pressure on Monday.
Another notable participant in the Last-Chance Qualifier is Wesley Bryan, widely recognized as one half of the Bryan Bros, the popular YouTube personalities known for entertaining golf content and insightful breakdowns of the game. Bryan’s presence in the qualifier adds an extra layer of intrigue and storylines as fans tune in to see if he can translate popularity and skill into a last-minute Open berth at Royal Birkdale.
The 12-player roster for the Last-Chance Qualifier includes:
– Aldrich Potgieter
– Matti Schmid
– Matt Moloney
– Joe Dean
– Sam Easterbrook
– Adri Arnaus
– John Gough
– Angel Hidalgo
– Charles Huntzinger
– Andrew Wilson
– Wesley Bryan
– Frazer Jones
Action is scheduled to begin bright and early on Monday, with the Last-Chance Qualifier teeing off at 7:30 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. Eastern Time). Golf fans can follow the live scoring and stay up to date on every shot via TheOpen.com, ensuring they don’t miss the pivotal moments as players bid for the final Open spot in the 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY and provides a comprehensive overview of the Last-Chance Qualifier, detailing who’s competing for the last available place in the Open and explaining how the field is shaped by the R&A’s qualification criteria. As the tournament approaches, the drama builds around who will seize the last chance to join the world’s best golfers at a major championship venue renowned for its links-style challenges and storied history. For fans and participants alike, the Last-Chance Qualifier adds an extra layer of suspense to a Championship week already filled with anticipation.