The Open: Andrew 'Beef' Johnston, Benjamin Hebert, Nino Bertasio and Dylan Frittelli secure places
Last Updated: 14/07/19 11:45pm
Andrew 'Beef' Johnston, Benjamin Hebert and Nino Bertasio claimed the three qualifying places on offer for The 148th Open at the ASI Scottish Open.
The trio were the highest three finishers at The Renaissance Club who had not already secured their places at Royal Portrush.
Englishman Johnston started the final round in 38th place but stormed up the leaderboard with a nine-under 62 to claim a share of fourth place on 19 under.
The 30-year-old was making a welcome return to form following his recent struggles on and off the course and will be making his fourth appearance in The Open after missing out last year.
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Johnston made his debut as a qualifier back in 2011 but did not play in the major again until finishing eighth at Royal Troon in 2016.
"You want to be playing in tournaments, you want to be playing in Opens, in majors, all the best tournaments," he said.
Frenchman Hebert matched Johnston's 62 in North Berwick to set up a play-off for the title with Bernd Wiesberger.
He was edged out at the third extra hole after earlier missing two putts to secure his maiden European Tour victory, but he will have the consolation of making only his second appearance in a major in Northern Ireland.
The 32-year-old's previous start came as a 21-year-old in the 2008 Open at Royal Birkdale when he missed the cut.
Italian Bertasio will be making his Open and major debut at Royal Portrush after also securing a five-way share of fourth place.
The 30-year-old started the day in joint-third place and maintained his position towards the top of the leaderboard with a three-under 68, birdies at the 14th and 16th proving to be crucial for him.
The final place in the field for the last major of the year was decided at the John Deere Classic on Sunday evening, with South African Dylan Frittelli set to head across the Atlantic after capturing his maiden PGA Tour victory at TPC Deere Run.
The 29-year-old closed with a seven-under 64 to triumph by two shots and will now make his third appearance in The Open after missing the cut in the last two years.
"A ticket to The Open is awesome," he said. "I've played in two already and I guess my third one is going to be extra special having played the Irish Open in 2013 at Royal Portrush"
