9 LIV Golf superstars set to miss the Open Championship including 2023 winnerThe Open Championship takes place at Royal Troon this month – and several high-profile names will not be in the field.
LIV Golf ’s arrival as a rival to the PGA Tourdivided golf and sent shockwaves throughout the world of sports, but stars who defected to the Saudi-backed circuit have been dealt a blow. Due to LIV failing to receive recognition from the Official World Golf Rankings, its players must battle through qualifying events as their berths are not secured unless via an exemption.
Ahead of the fourth and final major of the year, here are nine LIV Golf stars – including the 2023 overall individual champion – who will be absent from The Open.
The Open Championship takes place at Royal Troon this month – and several high-profile names will not be in the field.
LIV Golf ’s arrival as a rival to the PGA Tourdivided golf and sent shockwaves throughout the world of sports, but stars who defected to the Saudi-backed circuit have been dealt a blow. Due to LIV failing to receive recognition from the Official World Golf Rankings, its players must battle through qualifying events as their berths are not secured unless via an exemption.
Ahead of the fourth and final major of the year, here are nine LIV Golf stars – including the 2023 overall individual champion – who will be absent from The Open.
Talor Gooch
Despite winning three times on last year’s LIV Golf circuit where he beat high-profile players in the season-long points race, Talor Gooch will not compete at The Open. The 2023 individual LIV Golf champion spoke openly about his willingness to play in the major tournaments, but he turned down the chance to qualify for both the U.S. Open and The Open through Final Qualifying, while he also failed to receive an invite to Augusta.
Sergio Garcia
On Tuesday, Sergio Garcia learned he will miss the British Open after the LIV Golf star fell two shots short in Final Qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club. The Spaniard enjoyed a fine start to the day, carding a solid one-under-par 70 in his opening round in difficult conditions. While he improved in the second round, the Fireballs captain fell two shots short at three-under and has now failed to get through British Open qualifying in successive years.
Talor Gooch
Despite winning three times on last year’s LIV Golf circuit where he beat high-profile players in the season-long points race, Talor Gooch will not compete at The Open. The 2023 individual LIV Golf champion spoke openly about his willingness to play in the major tournaments, but he turned down the chance to qualify for both the U.S. Open and The Open through Final Qualifying, while he also failed to receive an invite to Augusta.
Sergio Garcia
On Tuesday, Sergio Garcia learned he will miss the British Open after the LIV Golf star fell two shots short in Final Qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club. The Spaniard enjoyed a fine start to the day, carding a solid one-under-par 70 in his opening round in difficult conditions. While he improved in the second round, the Fireballs captain fell two shots short at three-under and has now failed to get through British Open qualifying in successive years.
Paul Casey
Paul Casey has not played in a major since the 2022 Open at St. Andrews. The five-time European Ryder Cup star is currently applying his trade at LIV Golf as part of Bryson DeChambeau ’s Crushers GC, and he opted not to play in Final Qualifying.
Ian Poulter
For the second year in a row, Ian Poulterturned down the opportunity to play in Final Qualifying. The beloved Englishman and Ryder Cup hero has played in 20 Open Championships, finishing second and third in 2008 and 2013 respectively. The Majesticks GC star will instead be among the home favourites at LIV Golf UK, which is held at JCB Golf Club the following week.
Lee Westwood
- Despite making his debut in the over-50s majors at the U.S. Senior Open, Lee Westwoodturned down the opportunity to qualify for The Open. The former world No.1 has made 27 consecutive appearances at The Open Championship from his 1995 debut, but will instead simply compete in LIV Golf where he sits 33rd after a tied-third finish in Nashville.