LIV Golf League player becomes first 'rebel' to qualify for 152nd Open

Dean Burmester has become the first player from the LIV Golf League to automatically qualify for next year's Open at Royal Troon.

Ben Smith

26 Nov 2023

LIV Golf League player becomes first 'rebel' to qualify for 152nd Open

Dean Burmester has become the first LIV Golf League player to qualify for next year's Open after triumphing at the Joburg Open.

Darren Fichardt and Dan Bradbury have also qualified for The 152^nd Open at Royal Troon through the event which is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour.

The Joburg Open was the first event in the Open Qualifying Series, which offers players opportunities around the world to qualify for golf's original championship.

Burmester claimed a three-shot victory at Houghton Golf Club after posting four rounds in the 60s, including a second round 62, to win the Joburg Open on an 18-under-par total of 262.

He will feature in the Open for the third time after previously playing at Royal St George's and St Andrews.

Burmester signed for LIV Golf for the 2023 season and is part of the all South African Stinger GC team, captained by former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

He has endured a mixed season of results with the rival league. His best finish came in Bedminster when he posted a T-3.

Fichardt will return to play in the Open for the first time since qualifying in 2017 by virtue of his victory in the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.

The 48-year-old carded a final round 64 to finish runner-up on 15-under-par and secure the second qualifying place.

Bradbury, who won the Joburg Open at the same venue last year, ensured his place in the starting field at Royal Troon with a final round 64 to claim the third qualifying spot.

The next event in the Open Qualifying Series is the Australian Open which is being played begins on 30 November at The Lakes & The Australian in Sydney.