Sergio Garcia was visibly upset on Tuesday afternoon at West Lancashire Golf Club in Liverpool. The LIV Golf star found himself in a heated exchange with officials over a slow-play warning that he believed was unjust during his attempt to qualify for the British Open.
Despite posting strong rounds of 71 and 70, Garcia fell just short of securing one of the four qualifying spots for the final major championship of the season. His 3-under finish landed him in a T6 position, two shots away from qualification.
The altercation with R&A officials occurred on the eighth fairway during his first round when Garcia received a warning for slow play. He attributed the delays to fans obstructing his group, causing them to wait repeatedly. Tensions rose as Garcia retorted, “You’re right, we’re always wrong,” in response to the official’s decision.
While the cameras did not capture the entire round, the scene at the 18th green was chaotic. Garcia expressed frustration with the delays caused by spectators on the course, stating, “The marshals were trying to do the best job they could do, but obviously, we had to stop pretty much on every tee for two to three minutes to hit our tee shots because people were walking in front of the tee and on the fairway.”
Despite the challenges faced, Garcia was unable to secure a spot in the British Open. Sam Horsfield and amateur Matthew Dodd-Berry claimed the top two qualifying positions, with Daniel Brown and Masahiro Kawamura securing the remaining spots.
Garcia, a seasoned golfer with numerous accolades, including a Masters win in 2017, expressed disappointment at missing out on what would have been his 100th major appearance. He acknowledged the tough conditions and his efforts to qualify, stating, “I come here and I try my hardest to get into The Open… I tried everything that I could and that’s all I can ask myself for.”
Justin Rose and Abraham Ancer, fellow LIV Golf members, successfully earned spots in the British Open through the qualifier. The prestigious tournament will commence at Royal Troon on July 18, with only a few remaining spots available for contenders from upcoming events.