Stanley secures Open debut

PGA Tour rookie Kyle Stanley became the 156th and final player to qualify for the Open Championship on Sunday night.

Rookie claims Sandwich spot after runner-up finish at John Deere

PGA Tour rookie Kyle Stanley became the 156th and final player to qualify for the Open Championship on Sunday night. Stanley clinched the last spot of offer for Sandwich by finishing as runner-up behind Steve Stricker at the John Deere Classic on Sunday night. However, his qualification only proved a consolation in the end as he let a two-shot lead slip over the last couple of holes at TPC Deere Run with Stricker snatching the title from him with a dramatic birdie-birdie finish. Stanley led his rival by two as he played the 18th but, having missed a eight-footer for par at the last, he then watched on as Stricker produced a remarkable birdie-three at the same hole to clinch the title for the third year running. Nevertheless, Stanley, whose final round included a run of five birdies in six holes on the back nine, posted his first top-10 finish in 32 career starts on the PGA Tour. As well as a cheque for $486,000, he also claimed his place at Sandwich and admitted he was looking forward to his debut in the game's oldest major. "I'm very excited to go over there," he said afterwards. "But I'm still trying to calm down from that round." Of his 66 on Sunday, he added: "I just kept giving myself good looks and putts that I did in practice rounds and putts that I knew what they were going to do."