The Open Last-Chance Qualifier: What is it? When is it? Who is in the field?

Tournament organisers of golf's oldest major decided to shake things up for the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. 

The final place in the 156-man field will be determined by a Last-Chance Qualifier. 

It will see 12 players tee up at the host venue on Monday, 13 July - just three days before the final men's major of the year gets underway. 

The Last-Chance Qualifier will start at 7:30am BST (2:30am ET). 

It will be contested over 18 holes of stroke play.

As things stand, there are currently 134 players in the 2026 Open field, with the remaining places filled over the next two weeks. . 

The top three finishers at the Genesis Scottish Open, otherwise not exempt, will be heading to Royal Birkdale. 

Who is playing in the Last-Chance Qualifier?

The names of the 12 golfers participating in the Last-Chance Qualifier have not been announced yet. 

The Royal & Ancient has, though, published the qualification criteria. 

What is the criteria for the Last-Chance Qualifier?

1. The leading two non-exempt players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of Monday, 6 July. 
2. The runner-up in the Amateur Championship
3. Players who did not secure a place in The Open having been in a playoff at Final Qualifying
4. Players who finished one position behind those who secured a place in The Open at Final Qualifying
5. Players who were tied for a qualifying place in Open Qualifying Series events (excluding Scotland) but did not qualify due to their lower position in the OWGR, or by losing in the playoff for first place in the OGS event.

Who does this apply to?

We know Amateur Championship runner-up Matt Moloney will eligible providing he remains an amateur as of 13 July. 

England's Sam Easterbrook will also be eligible, given he was defeated in a playoff at Final Qualifying at West Lancashire. 

Players who finished one behind those who secured a place at in The Open at Final Qualifying include: Frazer Jones, Marcus Helligkilde, Brandon Robinson Thompson, Andrew Wilson, Connor Graham (a), Angel Hidalgo, John Vogelpohl and John Gough.