R&A chance format and dates for future

Open Local Final Qualifying

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R&A
From 2010, Open Championship Local Final Qualifying (LFQ) will incorporate a change of format and will be repositioned in an attempt to alleviate a congested golfing calendar and make it more convenient for players.
For next year’s Open at St Andrews, LFQ will be staged one week earlier than it has been in the past, taking place two weeks before the start of The Open and giving qualifying players more time to prepare for golf’s oldest championship.
Four venues will be used for LFQ rather than three. Each will host a field of 72 competitors who will now play 36 holes in one day.
The three previously announced LFQ venues for each year will remain, however, one course has been added for each of 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Open Championship 2010 at St Andrews – Scotscraig has been added to the Torrance course at Fairmont St Andrews, Ladybank and Kingsbarns Links.
Open Championship 2011 at Royal St George’s – Rye has been added to Prince’s, Royal Cinque Ports and Littlestone.
Open Championship 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes – The West Lancashire has been added to Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale and St Annes Old Links.
This year’s LFQ events will be held on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 July, as previously announced, at Glasgow – Gailes Links, Western Gailes and Kilmarnock (Barassie). 36 holes will be played over the two days with 96 players competing for four Open berths at each of the three venues.
This year’s Open Championship will be held at Turnberry from the 16-19 July.