Two Premier League footballers fail at Open Qualifying – but it’s better news for one YouTube star

For many, including these household names, the road to the Royal Portrush starts at Open Regional Qualifying.

With the 153rd playing of golf’s oldest major just three weeks away, for many, the arduous journey to Royal Portrush got underway at Open Regional Qualifying.

Almost 2,000 – to be (sort of) precise.

Fifteen venues around the UK and Ireland hosted those looking to move into the Final Qualifying phase – including a few names you might recognize.

Two former Premier League footballers paid their £200 to take part.

Jimmy Bullard – who played in England’s top division for Wigan Athletic, Hull City and Fulham – teed up at Rochester & Cobham Park.

The 46-year-old, who plays off scratch, now spends most of his time on the course as part of YouTube channel Golf Life with presenter Peter ‘Tubes’ Dale. He warmed up for Open Regional Qualifying by finishing 5-under-par in the 54-hole Legends Tour event in Greece, finishing alongside former US Open winner Michael Campbell and ahead of 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie.

But he couldn’t find a rhythm in Kent, where he finished in a tie for 43rd after a 3-over 74.

Peter Odemwingie – who played in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City and Stoke City, and also had successful spells in Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow and France with Lille, alongside making 65 appearances for the Nigerian national team – has gained his PGA pro license since retiring.

But the former striker failed to find the target – or even the top 100 – at Enville as he slumped to a 10-over-par 82 at the Birmingham layout.

A name American and Canadian readers might be familiar with is Austin Lemieux, son of hockey Hall of Famer ‘Super’ Mario Lemieux, who is a keen amateur golfer and teed up at Craigielaw, where he finished tied-15th at 4-over.

It was better news for YouTube star Peter Finch, though.

Finch, whose channel has almost 750,000 subscribers, was one of just two players to finish under par in brutal conditions at Caldy, near Liverpool.

“So proud to have made it through Regional Qualifying for The Open,” Finch wrote on his social media feeds following the round.

“This isn’t just a good round of golf – it’s the result of years of hard work and pushing through some mental battles. Qualifying has always been a stumbling block. No matter the form, this stage has played on my mind – the pressure, the expectation, the frustration of falling short.

“Today, that changed. Shot 71 on a brutally tough day at Caldy. The wind was howling, the pins were tucked, and nothing came easy. But I stayed in it mentally and got the job done. And I’m currently leading the whole event! I’m absolutely delighted… but this isn’t the end. This is just the beginning. Final Qualifying next – 36 holes, one day, and just 18 spots available.

“One step away from The Open. Let’s bring it on.”

A number of tour pros also made it through.

Marc Warren, who has played 496 DP World Tour events since 2001, came through at Kilmarnock.

Meanwhile, Robert Dinwiddie, Jack Singh Brar and Scott Henry – with 346 appearances between them – will also head to Final Qualifying.

Open Regional Qualifying results

Each course had nine spots available for Final Qualifying, except The Island (10), Craigielaw (8), Kilmarnock (7) and Lindrick (7).

Going through are…

Bearwood Lakes

1. John Gough
2. Thomas Plumb
3. Stephen Ferreira
4. Ian Fritz (a)
5. Curtis Knipes
6. Reggie Fear (a)
7. Joey Lussier
8. Charlie Townsend
9. Kris Kim (a)

Caldy

1. Peter Finch
2. Cam Walker (a)
3. Tim Ford
4. Jon Beesley (a)
5. Max Ranson (a)
6. George Holland (a)
7. Caolan Burford (a)
8. Sam Johnston (a)
9. Thomas Matthews (a)

Craigielaw

1. Jack McDonald (a)
2. Matt Wilson
3. Joe Bryce
4. Ross Munro
5. Jordan Sundborg
6. Oliver Mukherjee (a)
7. Euan MacDonald (a)
8. Archie Finnie (a)

Enville

1. Jacob McGoldrick
2. OJ Farrell
3. Ryan Brooks
4. Dani Hoof
5. James Claridge
6. James Ilsley (a)
7. Luke Blocksidge (a)
8. Jack South
9. Joel Tarry (a)

Ferndown

1. Jake Burnage
2. Robert Dinwiddie
3. Joe Retford
4. Tom Sloman
5. Finbar Kane
6. Andrew Richardson
7. Jack Singh Brar
8. Jake Bolton
9. Craig Sutherland

Frilford Heath

1. Robert Harrhy
2. Will Tate (a)
3. Matt Hibbs
4. Harry Richardson (a)
5. Jamie Dick
6. Ollie Brimfield
7. Max Nicholls
8. William Robbins
9. Alex Ching

Fulford

1. Huey Cunningham (a)
2. Habib Khan (a)
3. Michael Hay
4. Ashton Turner
5. Charlie Box (a)
6. Joe Knox
7. Ollie White
8. Jack Peters (a)
9. Ashley Mansell (a)

Gog Magog

1. Ed Featherstone (a)
2. Timmy Moncur (a)
3. Jack Hawksby
4. Giles Evans
5. Max Weaver (a)
6. Max Hopkins (a)
7. James Jankowski
8. Callum Hilton
9. Samuel Byford

Hesketh

1. Jamie van Wyk (a)
2. Nick Marsh
3. Tom Hughes (a)
4. Luke Harries
5. Joe Emery (a)
6. Greg Holmes (a)
7. Lewis Pownell
8. Rhys Nevin
9. Matt Lever (a)

Kilmarnock (Barassie)

1. Liam Johnston
2. Michael Stewart
3. Scott Henry
4. James Donaldson (a)
5. Marc Warren
6. Adam Chapman
7. Mitchell Cowie

Lindrick

1. Frazer Jones (a)
2. Bailey Gill
3. Oliver Sullivan
4. Julian Wood
5. Sam Potter (a)
6. Josh Crumplin
7. Rob Harris

Moor Park

1. Adam Batty
2. Habebul Islam
3. Michael Vonbank
4. Ville Virkkala (a)
5. Matt Gauntlett
6. Arran Kanth
7. Niklas Adank
8. Nick Ward

North Hants

1. Freddie Turnell (a)
2. Robert Wheeler (a)
3. Lawrence Courtney
4. Harry Ellis
5. Harry Bowness
6. Greg Hurley
7. Josh McCartain (a)
8. Josh Millington (a)
9. Charlie Preston (a)

Rochester & Cobham Park

1. Max Jordan
2. Jonathan Exon-Taylor
3. Finn Lord
4. Oliver Lewis-Perkins (a)
5. Ant Tarchettie
6. Jack Lee (a)
7. Sam Smitherman
8. Raul Gomez (a)
9. Carl Burrows (A)

The Island

1. Paul McBride
2. Keith Shannon
3. Rowan Lester
4. Finlay Eager (a)
5. Ronan Mullarney
6. Brendan McCarroll
7. Alex Hietala
8. Ruaidhri McGee
9. Niall Kearney
10. Alex Maguire

Final Qualifying will take place on July 1 at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald, Royal Cinque Ports and West Lancashire.