Chris Gotterup, Nicolai Højgaard and Matti Schmid earn Open spots in Scotland

Chris Gotterup, Nicolai Højgaard and Matti Schmid had another reason to celebrate after their strong performances at the Genesis Scottish Open.

The top three players, not already exempt, punched their ticket to the final Major Championship of the year, with winner Gotterup being joined by Dane Højgaard and Germany's Schmid for next week's event at Royal Portrush.

Gotterup equalled the course record of 61 at the Renaissance Club to lead the way after the second round before Rory McIlroy shared the lead alongside him with 18 holes remaining.

The 25-year-old played alongside the World Number Two and compatriot Wyndham Clark in the final group on Sunday before finishing with a 66 to claim his maiden Rolex Series victory.

Højgaard stormed home in 64 to claim fourth place, while Schmid took the last remaining spot courtesy of a higher Official World Golf Ranking than Andy Sullivan after both men finished at six under.

Here, we delve a little bit deeper into the background of the trio, who will make their way to Northern Ireland.

Chris Gotterup

The 25-year-old has been on an upward trajectory since turning professional in 2022 and caught the attention with a share of fourth in the John Deere Classic in the same year. He earned his 2023 Korn Ferry Tour card after a tie for third at Q-School, and soon progressed after three top tens in his rookie year. That saw him pick up his PGA TOUR playing rights for the 2024 season before securing his maiden title at the Myrtle Beach Classic with a convincing six-shot victory last May. The success meant Gotterup will be on the PGA TOUR for two more years, and he was going along nicely with nine top 25 finishes during the current campaign before catapulting himself up the FedEx Cup rankings with his stunning display in Scotland. He said: "It's awesome. I can't wait to see everyone and then I'm playing The Open next week."

Nicolai Højgaard

Højgaard produced a storming final round to earn his spot at The 153rd Open, similiar to how he secured his place at the same Championship two years ago. He will make his sixth appearance in the final Major of the campaign at Royal Portrush, the same venue where he participated in the 2018 Boys' Amateur. The Dane already has three DP World Tour titles to his name and will be hoping his late charge to Northern Ireland can muster up a similar display as in 2023, when he produced his career-best result of tied for 23rd. The 24-year-old said: "I knew what was on the line. I did the same thing in 23, actually. So I've done it before and I kind of knew my game was in a good place. I really grinded it out and I'm really happy with the score. I love playing links golf and Portrush is a nice place. I played there back in 2018 in the Boys' Amateur. Obviously will be a different set-up potentially, but just links golf and a Major is the best thing. Can't wait."

Matti Schmid

The German already has history in the final Major of the year when he won the Silver Medal for finishing as the leading amateur at the 149th Open Championship at Royal St George's. He turned professional the following week and went on to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award for 2021, earning his status for the 2022 season after just seven starts on DP World Tour, aided by a runner-up result at the Dutch Open. Schmid is the second German recipient of the award, following in Martin Kaymer's footsteps. He has been in brilliant form in recent weeks, registering two top 20 finishes in addition to coming home in a tie for seventh on home soil at last week's BMW International Open. He will hold the 17th hole at the Renaissance Club with fond memories as his third birdie of the week there earned his ticket to Northern Ireland.