With his world ranking plummeting and his list of major exemptions running dry, Sergio Garcia headed to US Open Final Qualifying and came out on top
Sergio Garcia has qualified for the 2023 US Open the old-fashioned way.
The Spaniard headed to Northwood Club and Bent Tree in Dallas on Monday in an attempt to make his 24th straight start at the US Open.
With back-to-back rounds of 66, including a crucial birdie on the 36th hole of the day, Garcia finished on nine-under, which was good enough for tied for fourth.
The 43-year-old failed to qualify for last weekβs PGA Championship, which ended a run of major championship eligibility going back to 1999.
Until his memorable Masters win in 2017, the US Open was another one that got away for Garcia. His best finish at the event is tied-3rd in 2005 at Pinehurst.
After playing at the Masters in April, the US Open could be Garciaβs only other major appearance in 2023, as he is yet to qualify for The Open at Royal Liverpool.
Carson Young, meanwhile, dominated the tournament in Texas β carding rounds of 63 and 62 to reach 16-under and win the qualifying section by five shots.
2011 US Open champion Graeme McDowell saw his 10-year exemption run out two years ago and he missed out on the top eight places by a single shot β as did four-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Palmer.
Thirty-three players also gained their spots at the US Open, including Patrick Reed, Abraham Ancer and Thomas Pieters as they are currently ranked inside the worldβs top 60.
Garcia is in the same boat as many of his LIV Golf colleagues who are slowly losing their eligibility to play in major championships.
On June 5, 19 other players from Greg Normanβs roster are entered across 10 qualifying sites in the hope of teeing it up at Los Angeles Country Club next month and gaining access to much-needed world ranking points.
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