The road to The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale will begin at the Emirates Australian Open, the first of 15 events in ten countries that will make up The Open Qualifying Series for 2017.
Two new events have been added to the schedule for 2017: the SMBC Singapore Open being played from 19-22 January at Sentosa Golf Club and the Ho Tram Players Championship at The Bluffs in Vietnam from 13-16 April.
A total of 44 places in The Open are available through the Series, which provides golfers with opportunities to qualify at events around the world on the PGA TOUR, the European Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Asian Tour, the Japan Golf Tour and the Sunshine Tour.
The Emirates Australian Open, which is played from 17-20 November at Royal Sydney Golf Club, will be the first chance for players to secure a place in golf’s most international major championship. The leading three players, who finish in the top ten and ties and who are not already exempt, will qualify for The 146th Open from 16-23 July 2017.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “The Open Qualifying Series provides golfers around the world with fantastic opportunities to secure their place in The Open. We are looking forward to partnering with the Tours again to bring a truly international field to Royal Birkdale next year.”
Three places in The Open will be on offer at the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in February, and four places at Royal Birkdale will be available at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open at JFE Setonaikai Golf Club in Okayama, Japan in May.
On the European Tour, three places each at the Open de France, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open presented by the Rory Foundation and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be on offer. On the PGA TOUR, the Quicken Loans National and the Greenbrier Classic will each have four places available, with the final place at Royal Birkdale to be secured at the John Deere Classic on the eve of The 146th Open.
Regional Qualifying and Final Qualifying events will take place at venues throughout Great Britain and Ireland.
The Open Qualifying Series (TOQS) will offer the following qualification places in The 146th Open:
| The Open Qualifying Series | Event | No of places | Detail |
| TOQS-Australia | Emirates Australian Open 17-20 November 2016 Royal Sydney Golf Club |
3 | Three places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties |
| TOQS-Singapore | SMBC Singapore Open 19-22 January 2017 Sentosa Golf Club |
2 | Two places to the leading two players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties |
| TOQS-South Africa | Joburg Open 23-26 February 2017 Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club |
3 | Three places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties |
| TOQS-Vietnam | Ho Tram Players Championship 13-16 April 2017 The Bluffs |
2 | Two places to the leading two players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties |
| TOQS-Japan | Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open 25-28 May 2017 JFE Setonaikai Golf Club |
4 | Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties |
| TOQS-USA | Quicken Loans National 29 June – 2 July 2017 TPC Potomac |
4 | Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties |
| TOQS-Final Qualifying | 4 July 2017 Gailes Links Hillside Royal Cinque Ports Woburn (Marquess’) |
12 | Three places available at each venue |
| TOQS-France | Open de France Date TBC Le Golf National |
3 | Three places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties |
| TOQS-Ireland | Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 6-9 July 2017 Portstewart Golf Club |
3 | Three places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties |
| TOQS-USA | The Greenbrier Classic 6-9 July 2017 The Old White TPC |
4 | Four places to the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties |
| TOQS-Scotland | Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open 13-16 July 2017 Dundonald Links |
3 | Three places to the leading three players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 10 and ties |
| TOQS-USA | John Deere Classic 13-16 July 2017 TPC Deere Run |
1 | One place to the leading player (not otherwise exempt) who finishes in the top five and ties |
NB: Any player who has qualified through The Open Qualifying Series is deemed an exempt player. In the event that that player subsequently fulfils other exemption categories those places in the starting field will be subject to Section F of The Open Entry Form.
The Open
The 146th Open will be played at Royal Birkdale from 16-23 July 2017.
The Open is golf’s oldest championship. Played since 1860 on iconic British and Irish links courses, it is the sport’s most international Major Championship with qualifying events on every continent. For one week each year, the pursuit of the famous Claret Jug trophy is the focus of the sporting world, followed globally by millions of fans.
Staged by The R&A, The Open delivers an annual economic benefit of up to £100 million to its host region, while the Championship’s commercial success supports the development of the game, worldwide.
Australia's Golf News Leader, Inside Golf gives you in-depth coverage of Australian golf news, golf events, golf travel and holiday destinations, Australian and international golf course reviews, the hottest new golf gear and tips and drills to improve your golf game. Written by award-winning journalists, Inside Golf also features interviews with Australia's top professional golfers, the game's rising stars, industry leaders and golf equipment manufacturers. You can even win great golf prizes and equipment. It’s all in Inside Golf. FREE at Australian golf courses, driving ranges and golf retailers across Australia. 
