Davis Love Is Among Eight Claiming British Open Spots in Texas Qualifying

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III is among eight golfers earning a spot in the British Open at final international qualifying event in America.

England’s Brian Davis shot 6-under-par 66 yesterday to win the event at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, Texas, by one shot over Chad Campbell. Play was cut to 18 holes from 36 because severe thunderstorms caused a six-hour suspension to play.

Sergio Garcia withdrew because of an infected fingernail on his left hand that made it difficult to grip the club. The Spaniard can still qualify through U.S. PGA Tour events leading up to the Open, which will be played July 14-17 at Royal St. Georges in England.

Love shot 66 to earn a 25th consecutive start at golf’s oldest major championship. His best finish in the tournament was a tie for fourth at Royal St. Georges in 2003.

Nathan Green, Spencer Levin, Chris Tidland and Bob Estes all matched Love to qualify from the 78-player field. The final place went to Jerry Kelly, who won a playoff with Justin Hicks, Brandt Snedeker, Marc Leishman, D.A. Points and Chris DiMarco, after all finished 3-under.

To contact the reporter on this story: Bob Bensch in London at bbensch@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Elser at celser@bloomberg.net