The British Open at Royal Troon this month represents the final major of the golf calendar, with several big-name LIV Golf stars set to be absent after Final Qualifying
The Open Championship takes place at Royal Troon this month – and several high-profile names will not be in the field.
LIV Golf’s arrival as a rival to the PGA Tour divided golf and sent shockwaves throughout the world of sports, but stars who defected to the Saudi-backed circuit have been dealt a blow.
Due to LIV failing to receive recognition from the Official World Golf Rankings, its players must battle through qualifying events as their berths are not secured unless via an exemption.
Ahead of the fourth and final major of the year, here are nine LIV Golf stars – including the 2023 overall individual champion – who will be absent from The Open.
Talor Gooch
Despite winning three times on last year’s LIV Golf circuit where he beat high-profile players in the season-long points race, Talor Gooch will not compete at The Open.
The 2023 individual LIV Golf champion spoke openly about his willingness to play in the major tournaments, but he turned down the chance to qualify for both the U.S. Open and The Open through Final Qualifying, while he also failed to receive an invite to Augusta.
Sergio Garcia
On Tuesday, Sergio Garcia learned he will miss the British Open after the LIV Golf star fell two shots short in Final Qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club. The Spaniard enjoyed a fine start to the day, carding a solid one-under-par 70 in his opening round in difficult conditions.
While he improved 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 Majestic 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 cut but is languishing down 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.
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.
