This year's tournament is hosted by Royal Liverpool for the first time since 2014, when Sergio Garcia finished second behind Rory. McIlroy Credit: Getty Images/Peter Byrne
Sergio Garcia will miss his first Open Championship in 25 years after a humiliating final qualifier defeat on Tuesday, but Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick will become the first professional English brothers to compete in the same Major. over half a century at Hoylake this month.
Alex joined the paid ranks less than a year ago, but the 24-year-old will make his major Wirral Links debut when he plays alongside his brother, who is four years his senior and ranks 9th in the world, 523 places. higher in the ranking.
Alex had a brilliant day from seven to 65 in West Lancashire to reach nine to nine and thus snatch one of the five offered spots in this field of 72.
Matt was quick to congratulate and point to family symmetry. “Ten years ago I qualified for the Open for the first time,” he tweeted. “My brother did the same today. I'm very proud of it and can't wait to play the same major as him.”
Matt Wallace's overall under 11 result at West Lancashire was the lowest of the four courses that the final qualification took place. As a multiple DP World Tour winner who placed third in the 2019 USPGA, a large gallery followed Wallace on the famous links north of Liverpool.
But the biggest crowd was focused on Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, who took the scenic route at the Open for the first time since he made his debut as European Amateur Champion as a skinny 16-year-old at Leatham in 1996.
For most of the marathon day, it seemed likely that Garcia would repeat the feat in Dallas in June, when he qualified for the last round of the US Open, where he ended up finishing 27th.
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However, after after falling just two steps behind his morning 65, he struggled to get to one under 71 and missed three hits. After that, Garcia was optimistic despite not qualifying for just the second time in the 98 majors that have taken place since he turned professional in 1999.
“It's a shame, but that's the game,” he said. “I felt it was close, in my hand, but it was.”
While other Ryder Cup veterans like Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter decided to skip qualifying to focus on this week In the LIV at the Centurion Club in St. Albans, two-time Open runner-up Garcia felt he made the right choice.
There were 17 LIV golfers on four courses stretching from Dundonald. Links in North Ayrshire to Royal Portcaul in South Wales. Only three are advanced. Charl Schwarzel left Royal Cinque Ports, as did another South African, Branden Grace.
Bath's Laurie Kanter was another LIV golfer who took his place four strokes ahead of Portcall.
Yet perhaps the biggest smile came from Matthew Jordan, 27 year old player. which is a Hoylake product. “Playing with Sergio and being able to qualify for the Open at my home field is a dream come true,” he said.
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