Tag: Jamie Donaldson

Three players secure last-minute spots in 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews

St. Andrews awaits for three lucky players.

Kurt Kitayama, Jamie Donaldson and Brandon Wu have plans next week at the home of golf.

The trio secured their spots in the field at the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews after qualifying via their finishing positions at the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open, the final of 15 events in the Open Qualifying Series.

“It’s really exciting to be going to St Andrews. The 150th Open there, it’s going to be a really cool experience,” said Kitayama. “After my two previous experiences, the goal is now to try and make the cut. It’s just a different type of golf and you have to adapt. The atmosphere is really cool at The Open with all the grandstands and the fans who just love their golf.”

Kitayama finished runner up at the Scottish Open, one shot behind champion Xander Schauffele. Donaldson and Wu each shot rounds of 3-under 67 on Sunday to finish T-6 to lock up the final two positions. One last exemption is available from the PGA Tour’s 2022 Barbasol Championship.

[vertical-gallery id=778282513]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Watch: Jamie Donaldson misses course record at Gary Player CC by inches, leads South African Open

Donaldson needed to chip in on the final hole to equal Lee Westwood’s mark and nearly did so.

Another day, another 67, another spot at the top of the South African Open leaderboard for Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

And if not for missing a short putt on the final hole of the day, Bezuidenhout — who won last week on the Sunshine/Euro Tour swing at the Alfred Dunhill Championship — would be alone at the top.

Even with the gaffe, the South African is tied with Welshman Jamie Donaldson at 10 under at the tournament’s midpoint. Bezuidenhout played bogey-free golf on Friday, posting three birdies on the front nine and two more on the back.

Meanwhile, Donaldson had 10 birdies on the day and finished a stroke off the course record at Gary Player Country Club. Lee Westwood set the course record in 2011.

Donaldson needed to chip in on the final hole to equal Westwood’s mark and nearly did so.

Meanwhile, Dylan Frittelli is just one shot off the lead after firing his second 68. While Frittelli needed a torrid back in his opening round after posting three bogeys on the front, he took a simpler approach on Friday — adding just one bogey to five birdies.

[jwplayer 7NBaZ2A0-9JtFt04J]