After Valhalla Failure, Embarrassing Sergio Garcia Reality Check Increases Greg Norman & Co.’s Suffering

Bryson DeChambeau emerged as the only hope for LIV Golf enthusiasts at the 106th PGA Championship. The Scientist showcased spectacular gameplay on the Valhalla greens and almost lifted the Wanamaker Trophy but lost the opportunity to do so by one stroke to Xander Schauffele. Given the current climate in the golf world, ‘almost’ is not good enough for Greg Norman. It is no secret that the number of LIV golfers participating in majors has been on the decline.

For the upcoming 124th U.S. Open, many LIV golfers participated in the qualifying event, which also included 1-time major winner Sergio Garcia. As LIV Golf attempts to move past DeChambeau’s loss in Valhalla, unfortunately, when it comes to the topic of majors, Garcia has become another bearer of bad news for Norman & Co.

Sergio Garcia may miss the 2024 U.S. Open

At the Dallas Athletic Club, Sergio Garcia was joined by his fellow LIV Golf players Carlos Ortiz, Abraham Ancer, Caleb Surratt, Kevin Na, and more, as they all teed off at the Final Qualifying event for the 124th U.S. Open. The final qualifying round was based on 36-hole scores and the golfers battled to secure a place among the 11 spots for competing at Pinehurst.

In the first round, Garcia shot 4 under 66 and was tied for second on the leaderboard. El Nino could not keep up the same momentum in the second round and ended up carding a bogey on the second hole of the day. Sergio Garcia tried doing some damage control on the front nine with two birdies but carded another bogey on the ninth hole and finished the round at 3 over 70 with a double bogey on the 16th hole.

There was still hope for the Spanish national, as, after two rounds, the 44-year-old finished 3 under 139. Garcia was tied with six other players and entered a playoff for six places. On the first playoff hole, all six players made a birdie or par putt. Unfortunately, the LIV golfer bogeyed on the very first hole of the playoff and lost his chance to qualify for the U.S. Open. El Nino also became the first alternate for the event. Being the first alternate makes him the first golfer to be considered if any of the players from the field decided to withdraw or could not play the U.S. Open.

But the chances of seeing the 2017 Masters winner play at Pinehurst might be lower than ever. Of all the 8 LIV golfers playing at the U.S. Open’s qualifying event, none could secure a qualifying position. At Valhalla, the golf community saw the participation of  16 LIV Golfers at the third major. The count might be even lower, especially after the absence of Patrick Reed at the U.S. Open qualifiers.

1-time major winner withdraws from U.S. Open’s Dallas qualifying event

Patrick Reed With other LIV pros, he was also slated to play at the Dallas Athletic Club; however, he changed the plans and withdrew at the last moment. With this, Reed broke his 10-year-old streak of participating in every major since 2014. The 2018 Masters winner didn’t disclose his reason behind the withdrawal but after his withdrawal, he is no longer eligible to play the 2024 U.S. Open, as the USGA states that once signed up for a qualifying event, a golfer cannot participate in another. Neither can he qualify via the top 60 on the Official World Golf Rankings, as Reed is 92nd on it.

Many fans had very high expectations of Reed when it came to the second major of this season. Unfortunately, at the 2024 PGA Championship, he ended up at T53. Reed now joins the 40-plus players from the disruptive league who will not be playing the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. While Reed’s participation is destined and he would surely not be there, would Sergio Garcia’s fate change, and would he be able to make his 25th consecutive appearance at the U.S. Open? It remains to be seen.