Sergio Garcia has didn’t qualify for The Open Championship.
The LIV Golf star headlined the remaining qualifying occasion at West Lancashire Golf Membership in Liverpool—certainly one of 4 remaining qualifiers throughout the UK—however Garcia shot a 3-under 141 over 36 holes, lacking out on one of many 4 spots obtainable by two strokes.
“I attempted my hardest to get into The Open; it could have been good to make The Open my a centesimal main,” Garcia mentioned on the radio broadcast after his spherical.
“I like The Open, and I like taking part in majors. But it surely’s robust if you’re that shut and end proper on the sting. However sadly, I received’t have the ability to make it.”
Garcia tried to qualify for final yr’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool by means of West Lancashire Golf Membership as nicely. However he mentioned the course performed more durable this yr, because of tougher circumstances. That mentioned, Garcia felt snug making his approach round these seaside hyperlinks, because of his expertise from a yr in the past. He knew his traces and the place to overlook photographs, however the circumstances—and different elements appeared to have gotten the most effective of him.
The Spaniard expressed frustration halfway by way of his first 18 holes, when R&A officers put Garcia on the clock for gradual play, per Ben Parsons of Bunkered.
Sergio Garcia livid at his gradual play warning at Remaining Open Qualifying – saying followers are inflicting the delays. Right here he’s taking his anger out at two R&A officers.
“You’re proper, we’re at all times improper.” pic.twitter.com/hO2mzYgSRa
— Ben Parsons (@_benparsons) July 2, 2024
Garcia mentioned that every one the followers following him disrupted the tempo of play, not his routine and deliberations.
“The marshals have been making an attempt to do the most effective job they might do, however clearly, we needed to cease just about on each tee for 2 to 3 minutes to hit our tee photographs as a result of folks have been strolling in entrance of the tee and on the green,” Garcia mentioned per Parsons.
“Except we needed to start out hitting folks, we couldn’t hit. I don’t suppose they took that under consideration, and that was unlucky. It made us rush. On a day like at the moment, when the circumstances are so difficult, and also you may want a bit bit of additional time right here and there, it doesn’t assist out. Due to that, I made a few bogeys that may value me attending to Troon.”
He tied for fifth on the 2016 Open Championship, the final time Royal Troon hosted golf’s oldest main. That yr, Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson staged a duel for the ages, with the Swede keeping off the American throughout an epic remaining spherical that noticed Stenson win by three at 20-under-par. Stenson’s rating of 264 stays the bottom combination rating in Open historical past.
As for Garcia, the Spaniard may solely make it again to Royal Troon through qualifying due to his LIV Golf affiliation, which has consequently plummeted his Official World Golf Rating (OWGR) to 312th on this planet. The R&A invitations solely the highest 50 gamers to spherical out its 156-man area, that means Garcia didn’t obtain an computerized bid.
His exemption into this championship expired in 2022—5 years after he received The Masters.
“You come out right here, you play as onerous as you’ll be able to and hope it’s ok,” Garcia added on the radio broadcast.
“If it’s not, then we’ll preserve making an attempt. Then, you understand, The Masters can be my a centesimal main subsequent April. That’s additionally a good selection.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You’ll want to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
