When was the last time Sergio Garcia didn’t play at the British Open?
Though it’s hard to believe, the Spaniard will miss the Open Championship for the first time in 25 years. Though calm, his disappointment was obvious.
The last time that the 43-year-old failed to make the cut for the Open Championship was way back in 1997. To put things in perspective, the very talented German amateur, Tiger Christensen, who is partly named after the 15-time major champion, Tiger Woods, wasn’t even born yet - he was born in 2003.
Sergio Garcia will miss the Open Championship
If you caught the recent 36-hole qualifying event at West Lancashire, then you will know that Sergio Garcia failed to make the cut for the 2023 Open Championship. Garcia, who tied for second place behind eventual winner Rory McIlroy the last time that the event was hosted at Royal Liverpool in 2014, seemed to be in good standing with an opening 67, however, he could only muster a second round of 71 to end at six under par. That was five shots behind leading qualifier Matt Wallace in case you’re wondering.
“I haven’t really missed many majors since turning pro in 1999, just one because of Covid and the PGA a couple of months ago and unfortunately I’m going to miss this one,” Garcia said. “It’s a shame but it’s the game. I felt I had it close, in the grasp of my hand, but that’s what it is. If you don’t even come here you can’t get disappointed because you are not even trying. I was trying and unfortunately, it just wasn’t good enough.”
So, who’s in at the Open Championship?
Though the former Masters champion will be ruing his luck, others faired better such as Royal Liverpool member Matthew Jordan who carded rounds of 65 and 69 to finish just one stroke behind Wallace. Joining him were South Africa’s Kyle Barker, England’s Alex Fitzpatrick, and the aforementioned Tiger Christensen. “Playing in front of my home crowd today was brilliant so I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like come two weeks’ time,” Jordan said in a social media post. “It was great playing with Sergio, obviously a great player, Masters champion, and brilliant off the tee. He obviously brought more people along so I thoroughly enjoyed his company. I cannot wait to get there (Hoylake).”
Did any other high-profile golfers miss out?
Surprisingly, yes. Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell joined his LIV Golf League colleague Garcia in failing to make the cut after posting rounds of 72 and 68. There was also Michael Block, the American club professional whose incredible tie for 15th in the US PGA Championship included a hole-in-one alongside McIlroy in the final round. Indeed, rounds of 77 and 76 left Block nine over par as Scotland’s Michael Stewart led the qualifiers on seven under. “It was obviously a great day. It was great to have so much support out,” said Stewart, who is attached to the nearby Troon Welbeck Golf Club and birdied four of his last five holes. This morning was really quite tough, then the wind died a little bit in the afternoon. I’m just delighted, absolutely delighted.”