Sergio Garcia keeps incredible US Open streak alive through Final Qualifying
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 week’s 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 Garcia’s 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 – 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 – 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 world’s 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 Norman’s 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.
NOW READ: Will Brooks Koepka’s PGA win earn LIV Golf more respect?
Follow NCG on Twitter!
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 spoken to the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Henrik Stenson, to name just a few.
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.
