New Zealand will be represented at golf's British Open for the first time since 2009 after Steven Alker sealed a spot at the Major by winning a qualifying tournament in England.
The Hamilton professional fired rounds of 69 and 68 for a seven-under total to win the 36-hole qualifier at West Lancashire and book one of the three places on offer for the Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes later this month.
The 40-year-old, who competes on the web.com tour in the United Sates, won the tournament by two shots, but the two other Kiwis in the field - Michael Campbell and Mark Brown - failed to qualify.
Campbell, the 2005 US Open champion, shot rounds of 71 and 73 to finish tied for 16th while Brown had rounds of 72 and 71 to miss a play-off by four shots.
Royal Lytham and St Annes will host the 140th Open from July 19 and is where Kiwi left-hander Sir Bob Charles won the claret jug in 1963.
NZN