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Sterne secures Open spot

London - Denmark's Thomas Bjorn has been confirmed as one of 10 players to secure late exemptions for qualifying for next week's British Open at Muirfield.

The 42-year-old, who tied for second in 2000 and led the 2003 tournament by two shots with three to play, only to take three to get out of a bunker, has qualified via his position in the Race to Dubai. It will be his 16th appearance at The Open.

Scotland's Marc Warren, meanwhile, will make his Open debut as his joint-second at the BMW PGA Championship in May meant he was high enough up the rankings to earn a place.

Three other European Tour players - South African Richard Sterne, Australian Brett Rumford and Swede Mikko Ilonen - also clinched their spots the same way.

Joining them will be five counterparts from the PGA Tour who made it into Muirfield via their places in the FedEx Cup rankings.

Florida's Billy Horschel, who enjoyed his breakthrough win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April and finished fourth at last month's US Open, will make his debut as will 34-year-old Jimmy Walker, courtesy of his runners-up spot at the Greenbrier Classic on Sunday, and Sony Open winner Russell Henley.

Former Ryder Cup player and crowd favourite Boo Weekley returns to The Open after finished tied-13th in 2009.

Ex-United States Walker Cup player Harris English will also play at Muirfield, having finished joint 54th at Royal Lytham and St Annes last year.

 
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