LIV Golf star set for major championship qualifiers

It’s a tried and tested route.

Last year, 19 LIV golfers entered a final qualifier for the US Open and four punched their ticket to Los Angeles Country Club.

Sergio Garcia, Sebastian Munoz, Carlos Ortiz and David Puig all navigated the annual ‘longest day in golf’ to take their place in America’s national open.

Garcia was also one of 21 LIV stars bidding for a spot in the Open Championship field at Hoylake through final qualifying.

The Spaniard came up short at West Lancashire, leaving him out of the Claret Jug contest for the first time in 25 years. Branden Grace, Laurie Canter and Charl Schwartzel made it through the test.

But it looks like a handful of them will give it a go again this year, as a former Open champion has committed to competing in both.

A trip to Pinehurst will be up for grabs on either May 20 or June 3, as 13 venues play host to qualifying.

Meanwhile, Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports or West Lancashire, will hold a key to Royal Troon, with final qualifying hosted on July 2.

• Tiger Woods reveals full TGL team

• 15-year-old makes history on tour debut

And bidding for a spot in both will be Smash GC star Graeme McDowell, who is plotting a major championship renaissance.

The Northern Irishman, who won the US Open in 2010, hasn’t competed in a major since 2020, when he missed the cut in the first three of the year.

McDowell was one of LIV’s biggest coups in 2022 but has now slipped to world No. 755, becoming a forgotten man in the ‘big four’ championships.

“I will go to U.S. Open qualifying, and I will go to Open qualifying as well,” he told the Mirror. “I’m going to see and do what I can do to get into these events.”

Just 13 players from the Saudi-backed circuit featured at the Masters earlier this month, but that isn’t down to a lack of desire, McDowell claims.

• Two-time major champion explains shock retirement

• Ian Poulter hits out at “irrelevant” world rankings

“Regardless of what anyone thinks, every one of the 54 LIV players out here really gives a s*** about the majors,” he claimed.

“They are the most important events, and we care a lot. From my point of view, I will be working as hard as I can to get into the two majors that I have available to me.”

The 44-year-old competed in both qualifiers last year, although was unsuccessful in both attempts.

McDowell also has his sights on the 153rd Open Championship, which returns to his native country next year.

“I even have an eye on Portrush and the Open Championship next year,” McDowell added. “Maybe I will try and add a couple of events at the end of this season where there are some Open qualifying spots.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.