Staff WriterIt’s not just the legends who’ll be teeing it up at Sunningdale this week. After a fierce Monday scrap involving more than 550 hopefuls, sixteen battle-tested qualifiers have elbowed their way into the 2025 Senior Open, set to unfold from July 24–27 at the iconic Surrey venue, which plays host to Europe’s only Senior Major for the fourth time.
And make no mistake—this wasn’t a leisurely stroll through the park. With four qualifying sites—Bearwood Lakes, Burhill, Camberley Heath, and Sandy Lodge—buzzing with ambition and sweat, these golden-aged grinders proved there’s still plenty of bite in the old dogs.
At Burhill Golf Club, things were tighter than a pair of tartan trousers after Christmas dinner. Canada’s Gordon Burns, American amateur Bryan Hoops, and Englishman Paul Smith all carded 68s to share top honours at four-under-par.
The final place came down to a playoff, where Spain’s Rafael Benitez calmly made par on the second extra hole to edge out English amateur Stephen Creed.
“The pressure was intense, but I stayed in the moment,” Benitez said, no doubt enjoying a well-earned Rioja that evening.
Meanwhile, Camberley Heath saw some transatlantic fireworks. American Rob Labritz claimed medallist bragging rights with a sizzling six-under 65.
England’s Richard Warburton and decorated amateur Gary Wolstenholme, who’s got more Walker Cup appearances than most folks have socks, followed closely. Legends Tour regular André Bossert rounded out the qualifiers with a tidy 67.
Bearwood Lakes delivered Monday’s lowest round thanks to Jeff Williams, who blitzed the course with a seven-under 65. Amateur Neil Rowlands finished a shot back, with Japan’s Shinichi Yokota also booking his spot.
But the final place came down to another sudden-death showdown. England’s Paul Streeter—once the Legends Tour Rookie of the Year—kept his cool to outlast Scotland’s Graham Laing.
At Sandy Lodge, American Taggart Ridings made a statement with a five-under 66, but the real drama unfolded in a six-man playoff for three final tickets to the Senior Open.
After three extra holes, Thomas Kalinowski sank a birdie to grab the first slot. He was joined by Brad Adamonis and South Africa’s Ryan Dreyer, who held their nerve on the par-5 17th, while Mark Wharton’s bogey spelt heartbreak.
⛳ Senior Open 2025 – Final Qualifiers by Venue
| 🏌️ Venue | Qualified Players |
|---|---|
| Bearwood Lakes Golf Club |
Jeff Williams Neil Rowlands (AM) Shinichi Yokota Paul Streeter |
| Burhill Golf Club |
Gordon Burns Bryan Hoops (AM) Paul Smith Rafael Benitez |
| Camberley Heath Golf Club |
Rob Labritz Richard Warburton (AM) Gary Wolstenholme André Bossert |
| Sandy Lodge Golf Club |
Taggart Ridings Thomas Kalinowski Brad Adamonis Ryan Dreyer |
🟢 Amateur players are noted with (AM). Data sourced from Senior Open 2025 Final Qualifying Results.
And now, with the field set, it’s game on at Sunningdale. Among the headliners: defending champion K.J. Choi, 17 Major champions, 15 fellow Senior Major winners, and over 100 players with silverware from the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. That’s not a leaderboard—it’s a golfing hall of fame in motion.
The Senior Open is more than just a stroll down memory lane. It’s a full-throttle contest of guile, grit, and gallows humour—where fairways feel narrower, putts feel longer, and every par feels like a win.
Tickets are still available for those who fancy witnessing a few legends—and perhaps a few surprise qualifiers—remind the world they’ve still got the magic. And if Monday was any indication, they’re not here to make up the numbers.
Tickets are still available for Europe’s only Senior Major and can be purchased via this link.
