If you fail at first, the British Open is still possible.

For the Scottish Open there are places for the three highest finishers who are not already in the British Open, a little comfort for the not winning the tournament

[Read more about the site of this year’s Scottish Open, the Renaissance Club]

In 2017 Callum Shinkwin, an English golfer, led the tournament to the 72nd hole when he had his only bogey of the round. That tied him up with Rafa Cabrera-Bello. Shinkwin lost the sudden-death play-off, but qualified for the British Open.

He "was clearly disappointed that he had not won that the tournament had led the 72nd hole, but that it not only made him eligible for the Open, but immediately removed any fear of losing his card in that season, "said David Jebb, his agent at IMG, a sports agency.

Although qualifying on Sunday for a tournament that starts Monday, adds low enthusiasm for what is a career achievement for many players, the moment does not come without stress and confusion.

Stone and his caddy Teagan Moore, who are good friends, had planned to spend the following week on a whiskey-tasting tour of Scotland. Instead, they were busy changing flights and cars and getting more clothes. "Finding an apartment during the week of the Open is difficult at the best of times, but it's not easy the night before the tournament," he said.

At least for the eligible players in Scotland, the British Open is close to where they should be. Carnoustie is only a few hours' drive from Gullane, where the Scottish Open was played last year. This year it is across the Irish Sea at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.

The same cannot be said for the John Deere qualifying competition. Only the winner or the highest finisher who is not already part of the tournament, enters the British Open, a promotion of the plum battlefield, but one who was besieged by the chaos in his early incarnation