The Open Championship is set to take place at Royal Troon this month, but several big names will be missing from the lineup.
The emergence of LIV Golf as a competitor to the PGA Tour has caused a stir in the sports world, with many stars switching to the Saudi-backed circuit. However, these players have been hit hard by the fact that LIV has not been recognised by the Official World Golf Rankings, meaning they must fight their way through qualifying events unless they receive an exemption.
As we approach the final major of the year, here are nine LIV Golf stars – including the 2023 overall individual champion – who won’t be participating in The Open.
Talor Gooch
Despite his three victories on last year’s LIV Golf circuit, where he outperformed well-known players in the season-long points race, Talor Gooch will not be competing at The Open, reports the Mirror.
The 2023 individual LIV Golf champion has been vocal about his desire to play in the major tournaments, but he declined the opportunity to qualify for both the U. S. Open and The Open through Final Qualifying. He also did not receive an invitation to Augusta.
Sergio Garcia
On Tuesday, Sergio Garcia found out that he will not be playing in the British Open after falling two shots short in Final Qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club. The Spaniard had a strong start to the day, scoring a respectable one-under-par 70 in his first round under challenging conditions.
Despite showing improvement in the second round, the Fireballs captain fell two shots short at three-under and has now failed to get through British Open qualifying in successive years.
Bubba Watson
The Open has never been kind to Bubba Watson, who is struggling to find any form at the wrong end of the LIV Golf individual standings.
Aside from his annual appearance to Augusta, the two-time Masters champion – whose best finish at the Open was T23 – appears done with playing majors as he settles into life on the Saudi-backed circuit.
Paul Casey
Paul Casey has not played in a major since the 2022 Open at St. Andrews.
The five-time European Ryder Cup star is currently plying his trade at LIV Golf as part of Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, and he opted not to play in Final Qualifying.
Ian Poulter
For the second year in a row, Ian Poulter turned down the opportunity to play in Final Qualifying.
The beloved Englishman and Ryder Cup hero has played in 20 Open Championships, finishing second and third in 2008 and 2013 respectively. The Majesticks GC star will instead be among the home favourites at LIV Golf UK, which is held at JCB Golf Club the following week.
Lee Westwood
Despite making his debut in the over-50s majors at the U. S. Senior Open, Lee Westwood turned down the opportunity to qualify for The Open.
The former world No. 1 has made 27 consecutive appearances at The Open Championship from his 1995 debut, but will instead simply compete in LIV Golf where he sits 33rd after a tied-third finish in Nashville.
Martin Kaymer
Martin Kaymer, the 2014 U. S. Open champion, will not tee off at The Open after deciding not to attend qualifying. On his return to Pinehurst No. 2 last month, Kaymer made the cut but is languishing down in 38th in the LIV Golf standings.
Thomas Pieters
Thomas Pieters is a six-time European Tour winner, but the Rangegoats GC player will not contest a single major in 2024.
The Belgian now finds himself outside the top 300 in the OWGR after his departure from the PGA Tour, while he sits in 30th in the LIV Golf standings.
Graeme McDowell
Graeme McDowell is a four-time PGA Tour winner and 2010 U. S. Open champion.
The Northern Irishman, who is enjoying a solid season with Smash GC thanks to three top-10 finishes, teed it up in Kent Final Qualifying but failed to make the field at Royal Troon, ensuring McDowell has failed to play in a major since 2020.
