Clarke and Goydos secure final two Open spots

The 156th and final place in this year’s British Open has been taken by Paul Goydos, after the American finished second in the John Deere Classic.

The 46-year-old from Long Beach native began the tournament with a record equalling 12-under-par 59. He followed that up with rounds of 68, 67 and 66 to finish two shots behind Steve Striker, and comfortably four shots ahead of his closest rival for the Open slot Jeff Maggert.

“[There are] dozens of things that I’m excited about. The perk is I get to go over and play St Andrews,” said Goydos. “It was a goal early in the year and this is the last opportunity to get in. And playing in an Open at St Andrews, I think, is about as cool a thing as you can do.”

It will be the American’s third appearance in a row at the British Open.

The penultimate spot in the open had been taken by Irishman Darren Clarke, after he took second place at the Barclay’s Scottish Open in Loch Lomond.

“I wasn’t in The Open before I came here and I am now. I had to post a score around the back nine to do that, and I did that with a couple of great up and downs. I also made a great birdie on the 17th,”Clarke said.