SA's Dean Burmester qualifies for Open Championship after playing 'best round of Links golf'

South Africa’s Dean Burmester has qualified for next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.

Burmester, who plies his trade for Stinger GC on the LIV Golf Tour, won the final qualifying event at Royal Cinque Ports to join Stinger teammate and 2010 Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen in the field.

Burmester fired rounds of 70 and 64 over 36 holes to win the qualifier by four shots.

Other South Africans in the 2025 Open Championship field include Christiaan Bezuidenhout, 2012 winner Ernie Els, Darren Fichardt, Thriston Lawrence, current SA Open champion Dylan Naidoo and Daniel van Tonder.

After making the long trek from Dallas in the United States to the United Kingdom, Burmester tied the course record with an eight-under par 64 in blustery conditions to qualify for the Open Championship.

"That's one of the best rounds of Links golf I've played," Burmester said about his 64. "It was just flawless from the get-go this afternoon. ... Basically from the first hole it looked like every putt was going to go in, and that's pretty much what happened for the next 17 holes.

"I'm super chuffed with the way it's turned out. It was a goal of mine to get to Portrush. Now I've got to find some accommodation!"

Burmester finished T23 at LIV Golf Virginia and T18 at LIV Golf Dallas leading into the qualifier. For the season, he is currently 11th in the individual standings.

The 36-year old will be making his fourth Open Championship start, finishing tied for 11th in 2022 and tied for 19th in 2024.

@JohnGoliath82