Justin Rose came through qualifying for the Open Championship at Royal Troon but his ex-Ryder Cup team-mate Sergio Garcia fell short for the second successive year.
Rose, 43, tied for top spot at Burnham and Berrow in Somerset, playing 36 holes in eight under par to match fellow Englishman Dominic Clemons.
Less than a fortnight ago, Clemons was denied an Open place when he was beaten in the final of the Amateur Championship.
Rose, who finished fourth as an amateur on his 1998 debut and in a tie for second in 2018, has played in every Open since 2007 when fit.
At West Lancashire, Garcia, twice an Open runner-up, finished two strokes adrift of the top four, just as he did 12 months ago.
The Spaniard’s low world ranking after joining LIV Golf means the only major he currently qualifies for is the Masters as a former champion.
The 44-year-old had been hoping to play his 100th major in Ayrshire this month but his three-under-par score was only good enough for a share of sixth place.
Three Englishman were successful, with Dan Brown joining Sam Horsfield and Royal Liverpool amateur Matthew Dodd-Berry, who finished joint top on six under.
At Dundonald Links, just five miles from Troon, Ayrshire’s Jack McDonald came through a play-off involving fellow Scot Daniel Young.
England’s Sam Hutsby led the way on eight under, with Irish amateur Liam Nolan joint second.
Another Englishman, Matthew Southgate, enjoyed the best score at Royal Cinque Ports on six under.
The 152nd Open Championship will take place on 18–21 July.
Source: BBC SPORT
