Australian Deyen Lawson to debut at The Open Championship after winning qualifier for the major

Deyen Lawson has spent his life dreaming of playing in a golf major but has only ever seen the Royal St George’s course that The Open Championship calls home through the eyes of a fan. That’s all about to change.

CADIZ, SPAIN - JUNE 10: Deyen Lawson of Australia tees off on the first hole during Day One of the Challenge de Cadiz at Iberostar Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri on June 10, 2021 in Cadiz, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

DEYEN Lawson has spent his life dreaming of playing in a golf major but has only ever seen the Royal St George’s course that The Open Championship calls home through the eyes of a fan. That’s all about to change.

Gold Coast-based Lawson is set to play in The Open Championship in England, starting July 15, after winning the qualifying event by shooting 3-under par across two rounds at The Prince’s Golf Club.

“I’m over the moon. I’ve never played a major and it’s been a goal of mine for quite a while – since I was a little kid really watching golf and seeing the best players in the world play in majors,” Lawson said.

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“To be able to qualify for it is amazing.

“It’s good to look over and see Royal St George’s – but I was more looking at it as a fan. But now obviously I can go over and play it – which will be nice.”

Sitting at home on the Gold Coast in the early hours of Wednesday morning charring Lawson on were Paul and Sheree Orchard, the parents of his fiance Ali Orchard, a PGA and ALPGA member and golf coach at Surfers Paradise and Royal Pines.

CADIZ, SPAIN - JUNE 16: Deyen Lawson of Australia tees off on the first hole during Day Two of the Challenge de Espana at Iberostar Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri on June 16, 2021 in Cadiz, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

“It’s the happiest I have been at 3am in a long time,” Paul Orchard, a golf pro at Surfers Paradise Golf Club, said.

“My wife and I are tragic fans of Deyen. We will wake up in the middle of the night during his tournaments four or five times to check the score.

“Sometimes Sheree can’t sleep at all, she will be on the iPad watching the live scoring.”

Incredibly, Lawson’s Geelong-based coach Darrel Brown is close friends with Orchard, with both tying for the win at the Terranora Classic in the Tweed Shire in the 1980s.

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Orchard said it was a special moment for Lawson who has been working tirelessly while playing in the European Tour and Challenge Tour, living out of a suitcase and only being allowed out to play golf at the tournaments due to covid restrictions.

He had missed nine cuts on both tours before his performance at The Open qualifying event and will now play in the Championship alongside Aussies Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Jason Day, Brad Kennedy, Aaron Pike and Matt Jones.

Pike earned his spot with a third-place finish at the 2019 Australian Open, with Lawson just missing out on doing the same by two shots.

Barry Cornwall was Lawson’s caddie at that Australian Open and was on the bag again for his qualifying performance.

RAMSAU, AUSTRIA - JULY 15: Deyen Lawson of Australia hits his tee-shot on the seventh hole during day one of the Euram Bank Open at Golf Club Adamstal on July 15, 2020 in Ramsau, Austria. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Fellow Gold Coast professional Anthony Quayle, who plays on the Japan Tour and is a member of Sanctuary Cove, said Lawson’s qualification was reward for his sacrifices.

“Aside from the regulars we see competing in majors, it’s always nice to see a few of the up and coming Australian golfers qualify and get the chance to show off their craft at the biggest stages in golf,” Quayle said.

“Deyen, is one of the several Australian players forced to take extended periods of time away from their homes and families to pursue his or her dreams.

“Qualifying for a major is a huge cherry and a confirmation that his sacrifices are being rewarded.”