Final qualifying for the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon was taking place at four different golf courses Tuesday. Each location had four spots available for those who survived a 36-hole grind.
Down the stretch at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland, Angel Hidalgo was trying to position himself for one of those final slots, with a playoff a likely outcome.
On the 36th hole, standing in the fairway with his wedge, Hidalgo was possibly thinking if he could get it close, maybe he could make birdie and get into a playoff.
But then Hidalgo pulled off the unthinkable, holing his second for an eagle 2 on the closing hole to post a 69 and move into a tie for second at 5 under, leapfrogging those who were bound for a playoff by nailing down a spot of his own.
Sam Hutsby at 8 under led the way at Dundonald but Hidalgo’s 5-under finish was good enough for a tie with amateur Liam Nolan.
Jack McDonald then defeated Daniel Young and Tim Widing to survive the 3-for-1 playoff and advance to Royal Troon.
The 2024 British Open will take place July 18-21.