Talor Gooch won’t show up to qualifiers for The Open or US Open
Despite his gripes with the lack of LIV Golf players in major fields, Talor Gooch has revealed he won’t play in two major pre-qualifiers
LIV Golf star Talor Gooch has revealed he won’t enter qualifying tournaments for The Open Championship or the US Open.
The American, who won the LIV Golf League’s individual points list in 2023, has previously expressed his gripes with the major organisations for not allowing more access for LIV players to compete, access that has been restricted due to the circuit’s rejection for Official World Golf Ranking status.
Before the Masters, Gooch said that if Rory McIlroy had completed his career grand slam, it would need an asterisk because he believed some of the best players in the world belonging to the LIV Golf League couldn’t compete. 13 LIV players played at Augusta National last month, but Gooch wasn’t one.
“I’m not,” the World No. 624 said when a reporter asked him and his Smash GC teammates if they were going to US Open qualifying.
Talor Gooch: US Open qualifying not on the agenda
Gooch delivered his blunt answer after two of his teammates spoke and detailed their plans to qualify for The Open at Troon as well as the US Open at Pinehurst. Jason Kokrak revealed he would play in Columbus, Ohio on June 3 and then in Manchester (presumably he meant West Lancs on Merseyside) on July 2 to qualify for The Open.
Graeme McDowell said he would play in Florida on June 3 in US Open qualifying, and then seemingly Royal Cinque Ports (he said just south of London) to qualify for his first Open since 2019.
Gooch isn’t exempt for this month’s PGA Championship and this trend is set to continue at the final two majors of 2024 as he revealed in Singapore on Wednesday. Despite his outspokenness, he has shown an approach that differs from several of his LIV colleagues who have increased their activity on previous occasions in pursuit of major spots.
Joaquin Niemann earned an invitation to the Masters after winning the ISPS Handa Australian Open on the DP World Tour and making a concerted effort at other DP World Tour events to earn OWGR points where he could. He has also been invited to the PGA Championship.
Last year, McDowell and Sergio Garcia tried and failed to qualify for The Open at Hoylake through Final Qualifying, while other LIV players Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel earned spots competing at Royal Cinque Ports.
As the LIV Golf League moves on from its world ranking application setback, Gooch and those who do not have major exemptions will continue to descend the rankings which, if you are ranked high enough in them, are usually instrumental in earning major starts.
NOW READ: Rory McIlroy’s advice for Talor Gooch: Be more like Joaquin Niemann!
NOW READ: How much has Talor Gooch earned since joining LIV Golf?
Do you agree with the Talor Gooch majors stance? Should the majors offer more pathways for LIV Golfers? Tell us on X!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
