With The 154th Open getting underway this week, Tom McKibbin, Jeongwoo Ham and Cameron John are set to take on the world's best after earning direct qualification through their standout performances on The International Series. The trio now head to Royal Birkdale ready to embrace the challenge of competing at golf's oldest Major.
Tom McKibbin
Few players have enjoyed a bigger breakthrough on The International Series than Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin.
The Legion XIII star announced himself with a wire-to-wire victory at the 2025 Link Hong Kong Open in his first Asian Tour and International Series appearance, securing places in both the 2026 Masters Tournament and The 154th Open.
Now 23, McKibbin arrives at Royal Birkdale after another impressive LIV Golf campaign, highlighted by a tied-fifth finish in Mexico City.
"Very excited to go back and play my third Open," McKibbin said following his victory in Hong Kong. "It will be very, very cool. Historic tournaments like this deserve those spots, and it's great to be able to take advantage of that opportunity."
Jeongwoo Ham
Korea's Jeongwoo Ham will make his The Open debut after producing one of the standout performances of the season at the Singapore Open presented by The Business Times.
Ham led from start to finish to claim his maiden Asian Tour and International Series title, adding to his four victories on the Korean PGA Tour.
"Having Korean and Asian players compete in The Open was always something I admired from afar," Ham said after his Singapore triumph. "I never imagined that dream would become reality. It'll be a completely new experience for me, and I'm looking forward to enjoying every moment."
Cameron John
Australian rising star Cameron John also secured his first Major championship appearance through Singapore after finishing runner-up behind Ham.
After a breakthrough season that saw him finish runner-up on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with three victories, John has quickly established himself on The International Series with top-10 finishes in Japan and Singapore.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," he said after securing his place. "I've wanted to play in Major championships my whole life. To come out to Singapore and get it done is something I'll never forget."
The trio will be joined by several other familiar International Series names, including current Rankings leader Travis Smyth, two-time Rankings champion Scott Vincent, and proven Series winners Josele Ballester, Peter Uihlein and Lucas Herbert. Regular International Series competitors Caleb Surratt, Austen Truslow and Marcus Plunkett also earned their places in the field, further highlighting the depth of talent competing across the Series.
All eyes now turn to Royal Birkdale as The International Series' standout performers look to make their mark at the year's final Major.
