20-Year-Old Estonian Golfer Earns Historic First Spot in The Open

World Amateur No. 91 Teder Qualifies Through Final Round
A Country of 1.37 Million with Only 10 Golf Courses, a 'Golf Outlier'
"I Feel Like I Have Everything. I'm So Excited"

Richard Teder, the leading golfer from Estonia, has made history in Estonian golf.

On July 1 (local time), at the West Lancashire Golf Club in England, he secured a spot in The Open after a playoff in the final qualifying round. This is the first time that a golfer of Estonian nationality will compete in The Open, the world's oldest golf tournament. The 20-year-old amateur Teder will participate in the 153rd edition of The Open, which will be held at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for four days starting July 17.

Richard Teder became the first Estonian player to qualify for The Open. Photo by Golfweek

Teder, who is ranked 91st in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, said, "I feel like I have everything. It doesn't feel real. I can't believe I'll be playing in The Open alongside the best players in the world," but added, "I also think I belong there. The thought of going home and preparing for The Open is incredibly exciting."

Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe, is on the periphery of the golf world. With a population of 1.37 million, it has only 10 golf courses. There are just two professional golfers from Estonia ranked in the world, and both are outside the top 2,000. In the amateur world rankings, there are only 14 Estonian players listed.

Meanwhile, three LIV Golf players?former world number one Lee Westwood (England), Lucas Herbert (Australia), and Dean Burmester (South Africa)?also secured spots in The Open.