Key facts
- Max Homa earned a spot in the British Open.
- Ben Kohles missed a short putt at the John Deere Classic.
- Kohles' missed putt resulted in a double bogey.
- The double bogey dropped Kohles to a tie for third place.
- Kohles' finish impacted his FedEx Cup points and earnings.
- Homa's runner-up finish secured his qualification for the British Open.
- Homa's finish met the world ranking cutoff for the major.
Max Homa has earned a coveted spot in the upcoming British Open thanks to a crucial missed putt by fellow competitor Ben Kohles at the John Deere Classic. Kohles, who was in contention for a strong finish, suffered a double bogey on a critical hole after missing a short putt. This misstep caused him to fall into a tie for third place, which has implications for his FedEx Cup points and tournament earnings.
As a direct consequence of Kohles' late-game stumble, Homa's runner-up finish at the John Deere Classic was enough to elevate him into the world ranking cutoff required for qualification for the British Open. The qualification criteria for majors are stringent, and Homa's performance, combined with Kohles' misfortune, created the precise scenario needed for Homa to secure his place in the field.
The John Deere Classic is a significant event on the PGA Tour, offering valuable FedEx Cup points and prize money. For players like Kohles, a strong performance can significantly alter their season trajectory. For Homa, securing a spot in a major championship like the British Open is a major career achievement, providing a platform to compete against the world's best golfers on one of golf's most historic stages.