Stone, Sterne qualify for Open

Paris - Brandon Stone, Alex Noren, Callum Shinkwin and Richard Sterne have qualified for The 145th Open at Royal Troon after the final round of the 100th Open de France at Le Golf National on Wednesday.

The 100th Open de France is part of The Open Qualifying Series, which gives players the opportunity to qualify for golf’s most international major championship at leading Tour events around the world.

The four players will join the world’s best golfers as they compete to become Champion Golfer of the Year when The Open returns to the famous Ayrshire links for the ninth time from 14-17 July.

South Africa's Stone endured an eventful front nine in his final round with three birdies and four dropped shots.

A birdie at the par three 11th took the 23-year-old from Rustenberg back to level par for his round and the SA BMW Open champion finished on a high with an excellent birdie three at the challenging 18th to achieve a four-under-par total of 280 and secure his debut in The Open.

Stone finished seven shots behind winner Thongchai Jaidee, tied with Martin Kaymer and Andy Sullivan, who are already in the field for The Open.