Major champ cruelly misses out on Open spot at LIV Golf feeder event

LIV Golf's Sergio Garcia came up one stroke short of clinching a spot in the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush. 

Garcia, 45, was one of 17 LIV Golf League players that teed it up at the International Series event in Macau.

Carlos Ortiz emerged the victor, holding off a charge from former Masters champ Patrick Reed and fellow LIV recruit Jason Kokrak. 

Ortiz finished on 22-under, three clear of Reed and six clear of Brooks Koepka's LIV teammate Kokrak. 

Garcia missed a three-foot birdie putt on the final hole. Had it dropped he would have booked his space into golf's oldest major. 

But the miss means that Garcia will have to look for alternative routes into the major. 

There are four more events on the Open Qualifying Series before final qualifying takes place on 1 July. 

Three places will also be up for grabs at the Scottish Open over 10-13 July. 

Alternatively, Garcia could earn his spot into The Open by being the leading LIV Golf player. 

Garcia is currently third in LIV's overall standings behind Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann. 

The R&A announced in February that the leading player on the breakaway tour, not otherwise exempt, will gain entry into the field. 

Garcia last competed in an Open Championship in 2022. The Spaniard finished in a tie for 68th place. 

He failed to qualify in 2023 and last year came up two strokes short in Final Qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club. 

"It means a lot"

Ortiz started the day sharing the lead with playing partner Reed but moved immediately in front with three birdies on the front nine. 

He was two ahead at the turn before playing the pivotal par-five 12th. 

Ortiz struck a brilliant fairway wood to five feet and made the eagle putt, which meant he was two ahead of Reed and three from Kokrak, who both birdied the 12th.

A clutch eight-footer for par on the par-three 14th also proved crucial for Ortiz. 

He then missed a five-footer for birdie on the next which would have put him three ahead, but he was able to stay two ahead before a birdie on 18 put more daylight between him and Reed.

"It was a good week," said Ortiz. 

"I think I did a good job of putting the ball in play, that's important on this golf course. I think I drove it really well. 

"I took advantage of the par fives and some of the short par fours, and I think that's important on this golf course."

He added: "I think most of the trouble is from the tee, so once you put the driver in play, it opens up from there. 

"So, I think I did a good job from there. I didn't take full advantage of all those great drives, but I mean I took advantage enough. 

"I am overjoyed to be heading to The Open."

Reed, the 54-hole leader, said he was disappointed not to win. 

But he was delighted to book his space in the 2025 Open Championship field.

"It means a lot," he said.