Staff WriterIf you think the Senior Open is a gentle amble down memory lane, think again.
Come 25–28 July next year, Sunningdale’s venerable fairways will be crackling with competitive electricity as Europe’s only Senior Major returns for its fourth visit since 2009.
Sunningdale’s encore
The Berkshire masterpiece has previously staged the show in 2009, 2015 and 2021, each time serving up the kind of drama that makes a cardiologist reach for the defibrillator paddles.
This fourth act promises more of the same: towering pines, heathery hazards, and a clubhouse gallery that judges every tee shot with the precision of a Michelin inspector.
Four ways in for the un-exempt
Don’t have an exemption? No problem — so long as you’re ready for a Monday scrap.
On 21 July, Bearwood Lakes, Burhill, Camberley Heath and Sandy Lodge will host qualifying events, each one a gauntlet tossed down to hopefuls who fancy their chances of teeing it up with the legends later that week.
“There is always great excitement when we open the entry process for The Senior Open, and we are looking forward to seeing a field including the world’s best over-50s golfers compete at Sunningdale later this year.
Our thanks go to Sunningdale as the host of the Championship and to the four qualifying venues, Bearwood Lakes, Burhill, Camberley Heath and Sandy Lodge.
There has always been great interest in our Monday qualifying events with approximately 500 players taking part each year, and each venue offers a test worthy of a place in Europe’s only Senior Major.” — David Williams, Tournament Director
Who can enter?
- Male professionals aged 50 or above on or before 24 July (yes, the day before the championship starts).
- Male amateurs meeting the same age requirement with a 0.4 handicap index or better under the World Handicap System (or your national equivalent).
- Current Tour affiliation or PGA membership is a must for the pros; amateur résumés get the forensic-accountant treatment too.
Key dates (mark them before the dog-ears start showing)
| Date | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| 3 July 2025, 12:00 BST | Entry deadline — miss it and you’ll be watching on YouTube highlights. |
| 21 July 2025 | Monday qualifying at four venues — bring extra balls and a thick skin. |
| 25–28 July 2025 | Championship proper at Sunningdale — the Senior Open circus rolls into town. |
How to throw your hat in the ring
The drill is simple: visit the official entry portal, satisfy the eligibility checklist, pay the fee, and start practising bunker shots you’ll later swear you never needed.
Full terms, conditions, and the small print your lawyer warned you about are online.
Why this matters
The Senior Open isn’t just a reunion tour. It’s career-defining for late bloomers, legacy-polishing for household names, and catnip for fans who appreciate the art of competitive guile over raw clubhead speed.
If your putter’s still hot and your back hasn’t resigned in protest, Sunningdale wants to see what you’ve got.
So polish the spikes, set a reminder for that 3 July deadline, and prepare to chase one of golf’s most coveted senior trophies.
Father Time may be undefeated, but for one glorious week next July, you’ll have a chance to give him a proper scare.
Full eligibility criteria can be found here and the entry deadline is 12pm on Thursday July 3.
