The R&A announce four new venues for Open qualifying from 2018

The R&A has announced four new courses for Final Qualifying for the Open Championship from 2018, with Woburn one of four venues to be replaced .

The Marquess' course joins Royal Cinque Ports, Gailes Links and Hillside in being removed from the schedule, with former Open venue Prince's Golf Club in Kent among the courses replacing them.

Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) in Nottinghamshire, The Renaissance Club in East Lothian and St Annes Old Links in Lancashire complete the list of host venues, which will be used for qualifying for the 147th Open at Carnoustie and through until 2021.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director - Championships at the R&A, said: "Final Qualifying is a hugely important part of The Open Qualifying Series and provides a gripping spectacle, as leading Tour players compete with club professionals and elite amateurs for places in the Championship.

"We very much appreciate the support we have received at the current Final Qualifying courses and look forward to moving on to four outstanding new venues in 2018."

St Annes Old Links has been a qualifying venue for The Open on many occasions, while Gene Sarazen's only Claret Jug was won when Prince's hosted the 67th Open in 1932.

Hollinwell previously hosted several professional events, including the Dunlop Masters, with the Renaissance Club the venue for this year's Boys Amateur Championship.

There will be 12 places available for this year's Open at Troon from a starting field of 288 players. The event will then be staged at Royal Birkdale in 2017, Carnoustie in 2018 and Royal Portrush in 2019.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers revealed on Monday that the 2020 Open will be staged in England and that St Andrews will play host to the 150th championship in 2021.

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