Sergio Garcia suffered a heartbreaking setback in his bid to qualify for this year’s Open Championship after missing a three-foot putt at the International Series Macau in China.
The 45-year-old Spaniard was vying for a top-three finish, which would have secured him a spot at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland this July. However, after missing the crucial putt on the 18th hole, he finished in fourth place with a 16-under score.
Had Garcia converted the birdie putt, he would have tied for third with Jason Kokrak and secured qualification for the Open, given his higher world ranking compared to the American.
The Asian Tour event in Macau provided a significant opportunity, offering the top three finishers a spot at this year’s Open Championship—a valuable chance for players on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, such as Sergio Garcia.
Alongside Garcia, Jason Kokrak, Carlos Ortiz, and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, all LIV golfers, secured their spots in the Open by finishing in the top two. Ortiz claimed the victory with a 22-under finish, while Reed took second place with a score of 19-under.
Mexico’s Ortiz had set a course record of 61 during the second round at the Macau Golf and Country Club on Friday. He extended his lead over Reed with a 64 on Sunday, ultimately finishing well ahead of the American to win his second title on the Asian Tour.
Before the tournament, Garcia emphasized that competing at the International Series Macau was a crucial opportunity in his effort to secure a spot at his “favorite major.”
The 2017 Masters champion last participated in the Open Championship in 2022 and has finished as a runner-up twice, in 2007 and 2014.
Garcia won 11 PGA Tour titles during his career, including the prestigious green jacket at Augusta National and a victory at The Players Championship in 2008, before making the switch to LIV Golf.
