IRVINE, Scotland — Colin Montgomerie will play at the British Open for the first time since 2010 after qualifying for golf's oldest major on Tuesday.

The 53-year-old Scot shot rounds of 66 and 71 to secure one of three places available from final qualifying at Gailes Links.

Three other British courses — Hillside, Royal Cinque Ports and Woburn — were also hosting final qualifying for the British Open at Royal Troon, which starts July 14.

Montgomerie, widely regarded as one of the best golfers never to win a major, made 21 straight British Open appearances through the 2010 tournament at St. Andrews. Montgomerie's father, James, served as club secretary at Troon so it is a course he knows well.

"It means the world to me," said Montgomerie, who now plays on the Champions Tour.

Montgomerie finished third at Gailes Links behind 1,418th-ranked Oskar Arvidsson of Sweden and Scott Fernandez of Spain.

Montgomerie played the British Open at Troon in 1997 and 2004, finishing 24th and 25th respectively.