A delighted Keith Mitchell revealed he had fulfilled his father’s dreams by qualifying for The 150th Open at St Andrews courtesy of his performance at the RBC Canadian Open.
With the top six finishers in the latest event of The Open Qualifying Series already exempt for next month’s landmark championship at the Home of Golf, ties for seventh place were enough for Mitchell and Wyndham Clark to earn their places in the field.
Mitchell, who has now qualified for three consecutive Opens via OQS, had particular reason to be delighted with his achievement.
“My sister went to school in St Andrews and my dad is a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews,” said the 30-year-old American, a one-time winner on the PGA Tour.
“I have been very fortunate to have been going over there from a young age and be able to experience the traditions and always dream about The Open. To be able to do it there in St Andrews with my dad and my sister is going to be pretty cool for my family.
“My dad’s only concern this entire year was for me to be playing in The Open, and he told me that a hundred times. He is probably happier about me finishing seventh in the Canadian Open than when I won my first event!”
Mitchell can now look forward to teeing it up on the iconic Old Course in July, 22 years on from being inspired by Tiger Woods’ dominant maiden victory at St Andrews.
To read more from Keith Mitchell and Wyndham Clark, the two qualifiers from OQS Canada, click HERE.
The R&A