Alex Maguire is still pinching himself after clinching a spot in The Open at Hoylake via the R&A Amateur Series.

The Laytown and Bettystown star (22) amassed the most World Amateur Golf Ranking points via a mini Order of Merit comprising the St Andrews Links Trophy, the Amateur Championship and this week's European Amateur Championship to book his place at Royal Liverpool in two weeks.

"What an amazing opportunity," said a delighted Maguire, who skipped the European Amateur Championship due to his busy recent schedule but was relieved to hear he'd hung on to top spot after his main danger, England's Jack Bingham, finished tied fourth in Estonia.

"All I could say is how lucky I am to get that first opportunity from the R&A Amateur Series this year. I felt like my golf was good enough to do it, but obviously, with not playing this week, I put it in the fate of the lads who were playing, and I was able to sit back and watch.

"I was pretty fortunate that the guys behind me didn't get enough points to overtake me. A lot of things had to fall my way for me to get through, and a lot of things did fall my way. So I couldn't be any happier to get this opportunity."

Maguire played Royal Liverpool as a 13-year-old shortly before Rory McIlroy won The Open there in 2014, but he never imagined he would get to compete for the Claret Jug.

"When I got the final stage of Open Qualifying last year, I played with Marcus Armitage, who birdied the last hole to get into St Andrews, and I saw what it meant to him and how passionate he was about it," Maguire said.

"And so I obviously knew how massive it is. It's one of the four biggest events in the world, and for me, it's the one I stand on the putting green trying to hole putts to win.

"For some people, it's the Masters or the US Open, but for me, it's always been The Open with it being links and so close to home.

"I've always wanted to be able to get a chance to play it. Getting to play this year has just made my dream a reality, and to be honest, as I reply to texts I am getting every few minutes, I am thinking, 'Oh my god, I'm actually playing The Open'.

"It's quite surreal to think about the moment, but I'm sure in the next few days, I'll come to terms with it.”

A golf scholarship student at Florida Atlantic, Maguire became the first player for 30 years to retain the East of Ireland Amateur title at County Louth last month.

He then continued his rich vein of form by winning the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy at the Home of Golf before reaching the quarterfinals of the Amateur Championship at Hillside.

After playing six events in four weeks. he stuck to his decision not to play in the European Amateur Championship in Estonia, and it paid off.

He now plays next week’s European Amateur Team Championships in Belgium and The Open before deciding whether or not he will contest the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch.

He’s highly fancied to make the Walker Cup side to face the Americans on the Old Course at St Andrews in September and knows good performances in the European Team Championships and The Open will only improve his already strong chances.