Patrick Reed & Co Deliver Lethal Blow to Greg Norman’s Ambitions in Latest Embarrassment

Greg Norman’s smile might give way to a frown after the PGA Championship. 16 LIV Golf pros took part in the second major of the season, and Bryson DeChambeau came in a close second on Sunday. The Crushers captain fist-pumped his way through the top only to be crushed by Xander Schauffele’s clutch birdie at the 18th. 

Nevertheless, DeChambeau was among the top performers in the group of three inside the top-10 at the Masters. The LIV Golfers’ performance has somewhat blunted the 54-hole criticism against the Greg Norman-fronted league. But at the third major, it might be a different story, as a handful of LIV Golf stars will miss the US Open.

Most notably, Patrick Reed has withdrawn from the US Open qualifier in Dallas. Reed has played in every major since the 2014 Masters. That streak of 39 majors, which included a Masters triumph in 2018, will end at the US Open. 

Per USGA rules, once withdrawn from a qualifier, the golfer can’t participate in other ones. Neither the USGA nor the former Masters champion offered any reason for withdrawal. The next ten US Open qualifiers will be held on June 3 across the state.

Notably, the LIV Golf Pro was in Valhalla till Sunday. Reed tied for the 53rd spot at the PGA Championship. But that was not enough to float him inside the top 60 in OWGR, which is a USGA criteria to determine the field.

130 players vied for the 11 spots available at the Dallas Athletic Club. And Patrick Reed was in the same field as his LIV colleagues, Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer, and Eugenio Chacarra. The 24-year-old was the only one to qualify. 

On the other hand, Garcia carded 71 and was locked in a seven-man playoff, where he made a bogey on the first hole to ruin his chances, the Associated Press reported. The Spaniard will be the first alternate at the US Open.

Last year, the former Masters champion earned his spot through regional qualifiers. This would’ve been the 25th consecutive US Open for the 44-year-old. Garcia tied for the 22nd spot at Los Angeles Country Club last year.

Among the others who missed their chances in Dallas were Carlos Ortiz, Caleb Surratt, Kevin Na, Danny Lee, Abraham Ancer, and Brendan Steele. Disappointment, though, awaited LIV golfers on the other side of the globe as well.

Which LIV Golf stars won’t travel to Pinehurst No. 2?

In Japan, Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe and his Iron Heads GC teammate, Jinichiro Kozuma of Japan, failed to earn their spot at the US Open. Sam Horsfield of Majesticks and Kalle Samooja of Cleeks GC failed in their bid at Walton Heath on the other side of the pond.

Previously, Talor Gooch confirmed that he had no intentions of signing up for the regional qualifiers. Asked whether he was planning to opt through the 36-hole qualifier route, Gooch said, “I’m not.” At Valhalla, the 2023 LIV Golf Player of the Year even confirmed that it was not due to any outstanding feud with the organizers. The 32-year-old tied for the 60th spot at the PGA Championship.

Last year, the USGA changed the criteria for determining the field; those who were qualified and eligible to play in the Tour championship would be included in the field. Gooch was qualified but not eligible due to a suspension from the PGA Tour for joining LIV Golf. Eight players on the Greg Norman-led circuit are already exempt from the US Open.