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DALLAS — The 2023 PGA Championship marked the first major tournament that Sergio Garcia failed to qualify for in 24 years.
On Monday, Garcia avoided adding the US Open to that shortlist.
Through a dramatic rally in the 36-hole playoffs here, Garcia—a former Masters winner who signed with LIV Golf last year—finished a nine-under-par 132 to tie for fourth and hole up his ticket to the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club next month. . He shot a 66 in the morning round at Bent Tree Country Club followed by another 66 at Northwood Club in the afternoon to take one of the eight spots available for the 120 player field.
After his first round, García was two shots off the expected qualifying line. His fate was still uncertain when he reached level 5-14 – and his eagle.
“It was an important moment for me,” Garcia said of his 3 on the Northwood 14th, a difficult hole surrounded by trees and a stream. “I hit my drive really well in the middle, then hit a very good 3-iron, about 6 feet from the pin, and putt a putt. It made the difference, but I knew I needed one more [birdie] To escape the playoffs.
After pars on the 16th and 17th, Garcia put his car back into the middle of the fairway on the 18th, then fired a wedge putt to 3 feet and drilled a shutout putt for birdies to move him to a nine-under, one clear of what turned out to be a 5-for-1 playoff. The knockout, Garcia pumped his fist in front of a large group of spectators gathered alongside the green.
“I played well,” he said, “and I knew what I needed.” “I didn’t want to be in a playoff. I’ve done that before. It’s very scary.”
The news wasn’t very positive for Garcia’s fellow LIV Commitment and former US Open champion Graeme McDowell. On Northwood’s par-3 9 hole – his last match of the day – McDowell put three putts to miss the playoff by a putt.
“I love this game and I love the major tournaments, and without world ranking points I’m going to keep trying to get there any way I can,” McDowell said, adding that he’s already scored in qualifying for the Open Championship.
Qualifying for the US Open came just one day after the conclusion of the PGA Championship, which Garcia had played in until this year every year since finishing runner-up in the 1999 edition in Medina. Garcia said it was difficult to tune in to the PGA over the weekend.
“I saw some in the house on Sunday,” he said, “but at the end of the day I didn’t go in.” “I would have loved to have a PGA spot, but they just didn’t keep me on their radar.”
Dressed in a Team LIV uniform and bag for the Dallas qualifier, Garcia said he was happy to watch another Team LIV player, Brooks Koepka, win against Oak Hill.
“Of course I was happy when John Rahm won the Masters,” Garcia said of his countryman. “But I’ve gotten to know Brooks for the past two years on LIV and I know everything he’s been through, so I’m very happy for him. It shows we’re still great at golf and really care about the game no matter what some people say about us.”
When asked if qualifying for the US Open paired with Koepka’s PGA win was LIV’s vindication, Garcia turned his head and smiled.
“acquittalGarcia said. “I don’t know what that is. I’m Spanish, not English.”