Former Premier League stars fall short in bids to qualify for The Open

Scottie Scheffler will return as defending champion at The Open, live at Royal Birkdale from July 16-19 on Sky Sports; content creators, former PGA Tour players, ex-Premier League players among those who attempted to progress through Regional Qualifying

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>Former Premier League footballers Jimmy Bullard and Peter Odemwingie have both fallen short in their ambitious attempts to qualify for The Open via Regional Qualifying.

>Over 2,000 golfers competed across 16 venues for the one-day event on Monday, with each 18-hole tournament offering places into Final Qualifying - played across two rounds on four different courses - on June 30.

>Bullard has played in PGA EuroTour events previously and competed in a Legends Tour event last May, but the former Wigan and Fulham midfielder was unable to find the top-eight finish at Rochester & Cobham Park required to progress.

>A one-over 72 left him outside of the top 15 on the leaderboard, while Odemwingie - who has graduated as a PGA professional since retirement from football - struggled to a 12-over 84 at Enville.

>YouTuber Peter Finch progressed from Regional Qualifying last year but was unable to match his 2025 efforts, carding a two-over 72 at Lindrick, as Rick Shiels ended with a four-over 76 at Caldy.

>Three familiar faces. One Open dream.

George Bryan, Rick Shiels and Jimmy Bullard are among the players now under way in Regional Qualifying.

Follow along on our live blog.https://t.co/K4fwKEbBkQ pic.twitter.com/qijAtaOGh5

>Fellow content creator George Bryan, one half of the Bryan Bros Golf YouTube channel alongside former PGA Tour player Wesley Bryan, secured his spot into Final Qualifying with a three-under 68 at Hesketh.

>Ex-Somerset cricketer Peter Trego carded an eight-over 80 at Minchinhampton and Kevin Esteve, who previously appeared in the Winter Olympics, carded a three-over 73 at North Hants.

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>The 16 Regional Qualifying venues are: Bearwood Lakes, Caldy, Chart Hills, Craigielaw, Enville, Ferndown, Fulford, Gog Magog, Hesketh, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Lindrick, Minchinhampton, Moor Park, North Hants, Rochester & Cobham Park and The Island.

>Not final yet but leading midway through regional qualifying!! pic.twitter.com/Yw9cT4FsdK

>Final Qualifying will take place at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire. The Open will then be held at Royal Birkdale from July 16-19, live on Sky Sports.

>Scottie Scheffler will return as defending champion after last year's victory at Royal Portrush saw him win the third leg of the career Grand Slam, while Rory McIlroy will chase a a second major of the season and Tommy Fleetwood will be among the favourites on home soil.

>Who will win The 154th Open? Watch live from July 16-19 on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.