How Sergio Garcia (and other LIV stars) can earn Open spot this week

Sergio Garcia is among a horde of LIV Golf stars who could earn an Open Championship spot this week.

The Spaniard, who is enjoying his best season on the Saudi-backed circuit to date, will turn his attention to the Asian Tour.

He is entered alongside 17 other LIV golfers in the International Series event in Macau, which starts on Thursday and offers three Open spots via R&A’s Qualifying Series.

Garcia, 45, and his Fireballs GC side, claimed their third title of the season on Sunday at LIV Golf Singapore, and the former Masters champ immediately made his next move clear.

“Well, the next thing for me is a little bit of rest the next couple of days, and then we play International Series in Macau,” he said.

“It’s an important tournament for all four of us because if we play well, we have the possibility of not only winning on the International Series but also qualifying for the Open. It’s another big week.”

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Garcia has a lifetime exemption at Augusta National thanks to his win in 2017, but his access into the game’s other big three have since expired.

He has, however, been offered a spot in this year’s PGA Championship, so will compete in the first two majors of the season.

The US Open and Open Championship are on his horizon, while his teammates Carlos Ortiz, David Puig and Luis Masaveu are also set to tee it up in Macau.

They’ll join the likes of Patrick Reed, Lucas Herbert and Adrian Meronk in action.

But it’s possible that no one will want to earn one of the Open berths more than Graeme McDowell. The Portrush native is hoping to back up his T16 finish on home soil in 2019.

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“Yeah, obviously it’s a great opportunity next week in Macau to have three Open Championship spots,” he said. “Especially for me with it being Royal Portrush, my hometown, there’s a little bit of extra motivation there.

“I feel like I’m starting to feel more comfortable with what I’m trying to do out here. I feel like the first couple of seasons I really didn’t have a purpose. I didn’t really know what my purpose was.

“I’m really starting to kind of see the light again as pathways to these majors start to emerge again. Small, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for sure.”

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 Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.