Sergio Garcia decides not to join 18 LIV Golf stars in qualifying for The Open
A total of 18 LIV Golf stars have committed to playing in Final Qualifying for The Open Championship, but Sergio Garcia is not one of them at this stage
A total of 18 LIV Golf stars have committed to play in next week's Final Qualifying for The Open Championship, but Sergio Garcia is not among them.
Ian Poulter announced his plans to participate in the 36-hole event late last week, and he will be joined by several of his LIV colleagues across four venues in the UK. Open Qualifying has become a popular destination for LIV players in recent years due to the league's lack of world ranking accreditation.
Former Masters champion Garcia has attempted the 36-hole challenge at West Lancashire Golf Club over the past two years, falling just short on both occasions.
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This time, his name is absent from the entry list, with the Spaniard likely hoping to secure his spot in the season's final major later this weekend. Currently, Garcia holds the one spot available into The Open via the year-long LIV standings.
Qualification from the breakaway league concludes following LIV Golf Dallas this week, with Garcia aiming to fend off competitors like Lucas Herbert, Carlos Ortiz, and Sebastian Munoz in the standings. While the Spaniard is in a strong position, he still has work to do this weekend.
The decision not to enter his name in the Final Qualifying list adds pressure on the Fireballs captain, especially if he stumbles in Dallas. If Garcia fails to qualify through the LIV setup, there is no alternative route back into qualifying, as the RandA confirmed to Mirror U.S. Sports that entry is closed.
Despite Garcia's absence, several big names in the league are set to compete in the demanding two-round event. Poulter, who will also play alongside his son Luke, will be joined at Royal Cinque Ports by Garcia's Fireballs teammate David Puig.
Former Fireballs player, now reserve, Luis Masaveu, is also in the field, along with Graeme McDowell, Dean Burmester, and Peter Uihlein. Over at Dundonald Links, Poulter's Majesticks co-captain Lee Westwood has pledged to participate.
Westwood will also be accompanied by Adrian Meronk and Branden Grace. There will be a strong LIV presence at Burnham and Berrow, with Crushers teammates Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri participating.
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Caleb Surratt, Jinichiro Kozuma, and last year's qualifier Abraham Ancer will also compete.
At West Lancashire, Sam Horsfield will be aiming to replicate his 2024 heroics, and he will also be joined by Garcia's closest competitor in the LIV standings, Herbert, as well as Andy Ogletree and Harold Varner III. The final qualifying round will take place on July 1, three weeks before the Claret Jug heads to Northern Ireland.
