Vic Open awarded exemptions for 150th British Open

Following news of the New Zealand Open’s cancellation earlier this week, the R&A has announced that the Vic Open will be added to the list of Open Qualifying Series tournaments.

Players will have the chance to earn one of three invitations by finishing in the top-three at next week’s event at 13th Beach on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula. And with none of the field currently exempt for the 150th Open Championship, it presents a huge opportunity to play in the historic event at St Andrews.

Min Woo Lee and Hee Young Park won the Vic Open when it was last played in 2020 (Credit: Golf Australia)

“While we were disappointed for New Zealand, it’s wonderful that our tour has been able to retain these playing spots in what will be an incredible moment for all the players and spectators at St Andrews this year, ” said Chief Executive of the Australasian PGA Tour, Gavin Kirkman.

“It doesn’t get any better than an Open at the home of golf and for three of our players coming out of the Vic Open to be going there in July, it’s just a brilliant opportunity for players on the pathway. Let’s hope one of them can win it like Kel Nagle did at the Centenary Open Championship.”

The men’s field currently includes US Open champion, Geoff Ogilvy, along with two-time NZ Open winner, Brad Kennedy, recent Australian PGA Championship hero, Jediah Morgan and QLD PGA star, Anthony Quayle, who is currently leading the TPS Victoria, which kicked off this morning on the Mornington Peninsula.

“This is a massive opportunity for our players in Australia,” said Golf Australia CEO, James Sutherland. “To think that it’s the 150th Open, played at the home of golf, not to mention the oldest and most famous golf tournament on the planet.”

The mixed-gender tournament will tee off from 13-16 February on the Beach course at 13th Beach in Barwon Heads. Players will be competing for an equal share of the $820,000 prize money making it the largest purse on offer for women’s golf in Australia this summer.

Debuting in 1957, the Vic Open has a storied history and features an incredible list of past winners including Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Gary Player, Ian Baker-Finch, Rodger Davis, David Graham, Robert Allenby and many more.