GARCIA QUALIFIES FOR U.S. OPEN; 4 OTHER LIV GOLFERS ADDED TO FIELD
The number of LIV Golf League members headed to next month’s U.S. Open in Los Angeles increased to 12 this week, with Sergio Garcia the latest addition thanks to a clutch 36-hole performance Monday in sectional qualifying.
Garcia shot consecutive 66s on two different courses in Dallas to finish at 9 under and tied for fourth, good enough to claim one of the eight available spots up for grabs among the 120 competitors. The Fireballs GC captain will make his 24th consecutive start at the U.S. Open and 97th major start in his career that includes winning the 2017 Masters.
When Garcia finished his opening round at Bent Tree Country Club, he was below the projected cut line for qualifying. An eagle at the par-5 14th at Northwood Club moved him up the leaderboard, and a birdie on his final hole allowed him to avoid the 5-for-2 playoff by one stroke.
“I played well, and I knew what I needed,” Garcia told Golf.com. “I didn’t want to be in a playoff. I’ve done that before. It’s pretty scary.”
Earlier in the day, the USGA announced its list of 33 additional players exempt for the U.S. Open. Included in that list are four LIV Golf regulars – Patrick Reed (4Aces GC), Thomas Pieters (RangeGoats GC), Mito Pereira (Torque GC) and Garcia’s Fireballs teammate, Abraham Ancer. Those four gained exemptions based on their current world ranking.
They will join Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, Martin Kaymer, Joaquin Niemann and last week’s 2023 PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka in the field at Los Angeles Country Club, June 15-18.
All 12 qualifiers will be in the 48-man field at this week’s LIV Golf DC, the final League event before the U.S. Open.