In a dramatic turn of events during the final round of the International Series Macau, Sergio Garcia faced a heartbreaking moment that cost him a coveted spot in The Open Championship. Competing at the Macau Golf and Country Club in China, Garcia needed to secure a top-three finish to qualify for the prestigious tournament, which is set to take place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland from July 17-20.
Garcia entered the last hole with a chance to clinch his spot in The Open but unfortunately missed a critical 3-foot putt on the 18th hole. This miscalculation left him in fourth place with a final score of 65. The missed opportunity was particularly painful as it meant he would not be joining fellow LIV golfers Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, and Americans Patrick Reed and Jason Kokrak, who successfully secured the three available spots for the upcoming championship.
Had Garcia converted that short putt, he would have tied with Kokrak, and the tiebreaker would have worked in his favor. Garcia, now 45 years old, has a storied history with The Open, having participated in the prestigious event 25 times and achieving a remarkable 20 cuts. Notably, he has finished as a runner-up twice, in 2007 and 2014, but has yet to win the tournament.
Despite this setback, Garcia has additional chances to qualify for The Open as the spring season unfolds. One notable opportunity arises through his performance in LIV Golf. The individual points leader on the LIV circuit following the LIV Dallas event in June will earn a spot in The Open. If that leader already qualifies, the next eligible player will take the available spot, giving Garcia a potential pathway to participate in this esteemed championship.
As the golf season progresses, fans and analysts will be closely watching Garcia’s journey and hoping for his qualification for The Open Championship. His dedication and skill make him a formidable competitor, and his history at The Open adds to the anticipation of his future performances.
