Meet the Opens Championship pros

The 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens format changed as the three divisions merged to two (Easterns, Centrals) and the three-event format changed to four. The big addition was the Opens Championship event where 28 anglers would settle Classic spots and much more. Here are the 28 professional anglers who qualified to fish next week's 2018 Opens Championship.
The 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens format changed as the three divisions merged to two (Easterns, Centrals) and the three-event format changed to four. The big addition was the Opens Championship event where 28 anglers would settle Classic spots and much more. Here are the 28 professional anglers who qualified to fish next week’s 2018 Opens Championship.
Bobby Lane won the first Eastern Open of the year at the Kissimmee Chain to punch his ticket.
Bobby Lane won the first Eastern Open of the year at the Kissimmee Chain to punch his ticket.
Lane wasn't done as he has notched finishes of 16th, third and 8th. He is first in the Opens points heading into this event. His double qualification bumped a spot down the list to another angler as well.
Lane wasn’t done as he has notched finishes of 16th, third and 8th. He is first in the Opens points heading into this event. His double qualification bumped a spot down the list to another angler as well.
Brandon Lester sits second in the Eastern Opens point race, just one behind Bobby Lane. Lester's year consisted of a second at the Kissimmee Chain, 20th at Lake Norman, fourth at Lake Champlain and third at Douglas Lake.
Brandon Lester sits second in the Eastern Opens point race, just one behind Bobby Lane. Lester’s year consisted of a second at the Kissimmee Chain, 20th at Lake Norman, fourth at Lake Champlain and third at Douglas Lake.
Garrett Paquette, an alum of Schoolcraft College, is third in Eastern Opens and trails Bobby Lane by 10 points. His Opens season has consisted of three fifth-place finishes (Kissimmee Chain, Norman and Douglas) with his other finish was 23rd at Lake Champlain.
Garrett Paquette, an alum of Schoolcraft College, is third in Eastern Opens and trails Bobby Lane by 10 points. His Opens season has consisted of three fifth-place finishes (Kissimmee Chain, Norman and Douglas) with his other finish was 23rd at Lake Champlain.
John Cox is fourth in points. His four finishes have been 15th, 25th, 11th and sixth.
John Cox is fourth in points. His four finishes have been 15th, 25th, 11th and sixth.
Wesley Strader notched a win at Lake Norman to punch his ticket to the Opens Championship.
Wesley Strader notched a win at Lake Norman to punch his ticket to the Opens Championship.
Like Lane, Strader also double qualified and bumped down the list to another angler. His fifth place in points is a result of a 28th at the Kissimmee Chain, his win at Norman, 10th at Champlain and 30th at Douglas.
Like Lane, Strader also double qualified and bumped down the list to another angler. His fifth place in points is a result of a 28th at the Kissimmee Chain, his win at Norman, 10th at Champlain and 30th at Douglas.
Mike Huff, an alum of Georgetown College, is sixth in points because of a 45th, 40th, 28th and 25th.
Mike Huff, an alum of Georgetown College, is sixth in points because of a 45th, 40th, 28th and 25th.
Drew Cook, who fished at Florida State in college, is seventh in Eastern Opens points with finishes of third, 77th, 21st and 41st.
Drew Cook, who fished at Florida State in college, is seventh in Eastern Opens points with finishes of third, 77th, 21st and 41st.
Scott Suggs is eighth in points with finishes of 75th, 29th, 22nd and 20th.
Scott Suggs is eighth in points with finishes of 75th, 29th, 22nd and 20th.
Jared Lintner sits ninth in points because of his four finishes of 49th, second, 18th and 80th.
Jared Lintner sits ninth in points because of his four finishes of 49th, second, 18th and 80th.
Chad Pipkens is 10th in Eastern Opens points with finishes of 50th, 32nd, 19th and 53rd.
Chad Pipkens is 10th in Eastern Opens points with finishes of 50th, 32nd, 19th and 53rd.
Todd Auten finished 12th in points with finishes of 77th, 38th, 42nd and 19th. Bobby Lane's win double qualified him and it bumped down a qualifying spot to Auten.
Todd Auten finished 12th in points with finishes of 77th, 38th, 42nd and 19th. Bobby Lane’s win double qualified him and it bumped down a qualifying spot to Auten.
Carl Jocumsen sits 13th in the Eastern Opens with finishes of 77th, 61st, 12th and 21st. Because of Strader's win and double qualification, it bumped another spot to Jocumsen.
Carl Jocumsen sits 13th in the Eastern Opens with finishes of 77th, 61st, 12th and 21st. Because of Strader’s win and double qualification, it bumped another spot to Jocumsen.
Rob Digh is 14th in Eastern points with finishes of 31st, 35th, 68th and 45th. He received an invitation because Bryan Labelle, who won on Lake Champlain, didn't fish all four Opens.
Rob Digh is 14th in Eastern points with finishes of 31st, 35th, 68th and 45th. He received an invitation because Bryan Labelle, who won on Lake Champlain, didn’t fish all four Opens.
Ed Loughran made the Opens Championship in 15th in points with finishes of 22nd, 21st, 117th and 24th. His spot was punched when Ott DeFoe won on Douglas without fishing all four events.
Ed Loughran made the Opens Championship in 15th in points with finishes of 22nd, 21st, 117th and 24th. His spot was punched when Ott DeFoe won on Douglas without fishing all four events.
Frank Talley leads the Central Opens point race after a great 2018 season. His finishes are sixth, 12th, 42nd and fourth.
Frank Talley leads the Central Opens point race after a great 2018 season. His finishes are sixth, 12th, 42nd and fourth.
Brad Whatley comes into the Opens Championship second in points. His four events so far are third, 22nd, ninth and 48th.
Brad Whatley comes into the Opens Championship second in points. His four events so far are third, 22nd, ninth and 48th.
Toby Hartsell finished near the top of the Central Opens points race in 2017 and is back again. He is third in points with finishes of 23rd, 37th, fifth and 23rd.
Toby Hartsell finished near the top of the Central Opens points race in 2017 and is back again. He is third in points with finishes of 23rd, 37th, fifth and 23rd.
Derek Hudnall is fourth in Central Opens points with finishes of 34th, third, 18th and 41st.
Derek Hudnall is fourth in Central Opens points with finishes of 34th, third, 18th and 41st.
Mark Rose sits in fifth with finishes of 30th, 31st, 41st and second.
Mark Rose sits in fifth with finishes of 30th, 31st, 41st and second.
Elite Series pro Caleb Sumrall is sixth with four events consisting of 10th, 20th, 27th and 52nd.
Elite Series pro Caleb Sumrall is sixth with four events consisting of 10th, 20th, 27th and 52nd.
Luke Palmer is seventh in points by finishing fifth at Ross Barnett, 50th at the Arkansas River, 25th at the Red River and 30th at Logan Martin.
Luke Palmer is seventh in points by finishing fifth at Ross Barnett, 50th at the Arkansas River, 25th at the Red River and 30th at Logan Martin.
Elite Series pro Brock Mosley sits eighth in points with finishes of 14th, 60th, 31st and 13th.
Elite Series pro Brock Mosley sits eighth in points with finishes of 14th, 60th, 31st and 13th.
Patrick Walters, college alum from South Carolina, triple qualified for the Opens Championship via a win in the Red River Central Open and within the points race of both the Eastern and Central Divisions.
Patrick Walters, college alum from South Carolina, triple qualified for the Opens Championship via a win in the Red River Central Open and within the points race of both the Eastern and Central Divisions.
He finished 28th, 63rd, first and 29th in the Centrals and then 62nd, 9th, 99th and second in the Easterns.
He finished 28th, 63rd, first and 29th in the Centrals and then 62nd, 9th, 99th and second in the Easterns.
Yusuke Miyazaki sits in 10th in points with finishes of 13th, 24th, 70th and 21st.
Yusuke Miyazaki sits in 10th in points with finishes of 13th, 24th, 70th and 21st.
Tyler Rivet, college alum from Nicholls State sits 11th in points and made it via Walters win and triple qualification. He finished 37th, fifth, 21st and 66th.
Tyler Rivet, college alum from Nicholls State sits 11th in points and made it via Walters win and triple qualification. He finished 37th, fifth, 21st and 66th.
Stephen Browning punched his ticket to the Opens Championship with his win at Ross Barnett.
Stephen Browning punched his ticket to the Opens Championship with his win at Ross Barnett.
His finishes consisted of that first, 98th, 71st and 80th.
His finishes consisted of that first, 98th, 71st and 80th.
Harvey Horne took the title at the Arkansas River to punch his ticket to the Opens Championship.
Harvey Horne took the title at the Arkansas River to punch his ticket to the Opens Championship.
He also fished the entire season and his finishes were 77th, first, 50th and 104th.
He also fished the entire season and his finishes were 77th, first, 50th and 104th.
Justin Atkins won at Logan Martin to punch his ticket to the Opens Championship.
Justin Atkins won at Logan Martin to punch his ticket to the Opens Championship.
His four finishes this year were 74th, 49th, 53rd and first. That rounds out the 28 pros that qualified for the Opens Championship on Table Rock Lake which will happen Oct. 18-20, with the last day being broadcast on Bassmaster LIVE.
His four finishes this year were 74th, 49th, 53rd and first. That rounds out the 28 pros that qualified for the Opens Championship on Table Rock Lake which will happen Oct. 18-20, with the last day being broadcast on Bassmaster LIVE.