Kazuma Kobori earns Open Championship start
Kazuma Kobori – file image courtesy of Australian Golf Media
Final qualifying for the 2026 Open Championship was completed across England overnight, where nearly 80 golfers at each of the four venues were competing over 36 holes for five spots at Royal Birkdale on July 16th.
Many Australasians were in the respective fields, but only New Zealander, Kazuma Kobori, was successful when finishing runner-up at his venue at West Lancs Golf Club near Liverpool.
Kobori followed up an opening round of 70 with a stunning afternoon effort of 65 to finish one shot behind the leading qualifier Sam Bairstow at his venue.
Kobori will play the Open Championship for the second occasion, having missed the cut at Royal Troon in 2024.
At other venues, players such as Marc Leishman and Cameron Davis missed out, the closest of those not making it was Austin Bautista, who finished 2 shots from qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports.
There remains one last chance for qualifying on the Monday of Open Championship week, where up to 12 players will play off for one spot, but it appears no Australasian will be eligible for that field.
Kobori, however, will join Jason Day, Ryan Fox, Lucas Herbert, Daniel Hillier, Cameron John, Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, Cam Smith, Elvis Smylie and Travis Smyth, who were already qualified for the final major of the year.
