Golfer bursts into tears as he qualifies for The Open after previously working as pundit

Matthew Southgate will play at Royal Troon. (Image: Getty)

The emotion of qualifying for The Open Championship proved too much for Matthew Southgate after the Englishman completed his comeback from a torrid career period. The 35-year-old, who hit a career high when he finished tied for sixth at Royal Birkdale in 2017, has only played once at the event in the past six years.

Indeed, back in 2022 he actually worked as a commentator at the 150th Open at St Andrews, but will now take his place at Royal Troon in two weeks time.

Southgate finished top of his qualifying event at Royal Cinque Ports, carding rounds of 71 and 67 to finish three clear of Australian Elvis Smylie and Spaniard Jaime Montojo Fernandez.

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And speaking to the official Open radio station afterwards, Southgate couldn’t hold back the tears as he dedicated his qualification to his late father. “Sorry, it just reminds me of my dad,” he said. “The Open is the absolute best. I can’t wait.”

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But he still managed to joke about his desire not to be confined to another media role, adding: “That’s why I tried so hard the last five holes I didn’t want to work with that lot again.

“But no, I can’t wait to see everyone again. Troon is a magical golf course. I’ve had such a tough time the last couple of months. I’ve played really well but it’s been like disaster after disaster. To finally get something to go right, it just means everything.”

Southgate celebrates his win at Royal Cinque Ports. (Image: Getty)

Southgate appeared destined for big things when he won the 2010 St Andrews Links Trophy as an amateur, carding a 67 in the final round on the old course. He turned professional a year later, and played in his first Open in 2014.

He has since made four more appearances, including in 2023 when he finished tied for 23rd. His only other major appearances came at the US Open in 2018 and 2021, missing the cut on both occasions. 

But Southgate, who also made a recovery after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2015, was composed in Kent and avoided a dramatic late scramble behind him. While him, Smilie, and Fernandez secured three of the four qualification spots outright, there was a three way play-off for the final place.

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Another Spanish amateur, Luis Masaveu, duly took fourth with a birdie three at the second extra hole. It meant heartbreak for England’s Jamie Rutherford and South Africa’s LIV Golf player Brandon Grace.

The tournament at Royal Troon gets underway a week on Thursday. When the iconic Scottish venue last hosted the Open in 2016, Southgate finished tied for 12th.

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Golfer bursts into tears as he qualifies for The Open after previously working as pundit

Golfer bursts into tears as he qualifies for The Open after previously working as pundit

Golfer bursts into tears as he qualifies for The Open after previously working as pundit

Golfer bursts into tears as he qualifies for The Open after previously working as pundit

Golfer bursts into tears as he qualifies for The Open after previously working as pundit