LIV Golf's Ian Poulter confident you haven't seen the last of him in majors: "Somewhere, somehow"

Ian Poulter seems confident he hasn't played his last major championship despite falling short in Final Qualifying for The Open

Poulter attempted to book his first appearance in an Open since the 150th staging of the championship at St Andrews three years ago. 

The Englishman teed it up in the 36-hole qualifier at Royal Cinque Ports yesterday but came up a few shorts short of a qualifying berth. 

His 20-year-old son Luke, who is still an amateur, raced out of the blocks with a 67 in round one but faltered in the afternoon with a 75.

"Big thanks to all you guys who came out to watch Luke," Poulter wrote on his Instagram. "Luke shot five-under this morning, was nicely in position but, unfortunately, didn't go quite so well this afternoon."

Luke also endured similar heartbreak when he attempted to qualify for the US Open last month. 

Poulter added: "I kind of blew myself out on the front nine, but there you go.

"Heading home, thank you to all the spectators who came out, you were class. See you down the road, somewhere, somehow."

Poulter's LIV Golf peer Graeme McDowell also tried to punch his ticket to Royal Portrush but also endured similar agony. 

McDowell raced out of the blocks, too, but ultimately finished on the same score as the Poulters.

"Gutted to sit this one out," McDowell said on X. "Gutted to sit this one out at Royal Portrush. Going to be an amazing week with lots to celebrate for Irish golf."

Lee Westwood seals his Open spot

Former World No.1 Lee Westwood was perhaps the most notable name that made it through Final Qualifying. 

Westwood, now 52, posted scores of 70 and 67 to at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire to seal his first start in The Open since 2022.

The Englishman, who finished in a tie for 34th in his last Open appearance, told reporters he believes The Open is the greatest championship in golf.

"As a British player, you get phenomenal support and I really enjoyed Portrush last time.

"I won't really have any expectations. I'm playing at Valderrama next week in LIV and I'll try and sharpen my game up.

"I think of any major championship, you can compete on links courses as a senior. Tom Watson proved that around Turnberry in 2009 and then Greg Norman a couple of years later at Birkdale. You have to use a bit of cunning and guile with the wind."

It means Westwood will now make his 28th Open appearance later in the month. 

Lucas Herbert and Dean Burmester were the other two LIV recruits that made it through qualifying. 

Poulter's LIV teammate Sam Horsfield was disqualified and later explained he felt dizzy on the course as he lashed out at the coverage of his exit.