Big names book Open returns

Philip Walton, Europe’s Ryder Cup match-winning hero in 1995, and 1999 runner-up Jean Van de Velde are among 12 players to have come through the 36-hole final qualifying for next week’s Open Championship.

Irishman Walton, who last held a European Tour card three years ago and is now 46, was a three-stroke winner at West Lancashire, a course he described as “the best links I’ve played”.