Sergio Garcia’s absence from a 3-foot putt gave him a spot in the Open Championship game.
In the final round of the China International Macau International Series (stop for the Asian Tour), Garcia needs to finish the top three in the Open at Royal Prothush. But the mistake on the short putter at 18th place in Macau Golf and Country Club put him in fourth place.
Garcia shot 65.
Instead, Garcia’s companions, Mexican Liv golfers Carlos Ortiz, Patrick Reed and Jason Kokrak, captured three attractions available for the Open, which will take place in Northern Ireland from July 17-20.
If Garcia makes putts, he tied with Kokrak based on the finals and advanced.
Garcia, 45, never won the Open but finished second twice (2007, 2014). He has competed in 25 games and recently made 20 cuts in 2022. He won 10 games in the top 10.
As the spring progresses, he will have other opportunities to qualify for the Open.
One of the methods is through his game in Liv Golf. Individual points leaders on the LIV Tour will be eligible after the Liv Dallas event in June. If that leader is already on the scene, the Open position will belong to the next qualified player.
Garcia is third in various points lists, but his two players ahead – Espanyol Jon Rahm and Chile’s Joaquín Niemann – are already eligible.
