US Open: Controversial LIV Star Qualifies, But Not Sergio Garcia

Newsweek

7 days ago

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LIV Golf's Sergio Garcia is facing a tough reality, one that every Garcia fan saw coming. For the first time in 25 years, the Spaniard failed to qualify for the U.S. Open, marking his first absence since 2000.
The news broke after the 45-year-old scored 71 at Bent Tree Country Club, missing out by just one shot from a playoff for a spot at Oakmont.
While several golf analysts and experts have pushed for a special invitation to get Garcia into the field, there has been no official response.
Meanwhile, another controversial LIV golfer had secured his place in the qualified list - Patrick Reed.
Patrick Reed back into the U.S. Open
Reed has never been one to shy away from controversy, whether on the PGA Tour or LIV Golf. His recent Masters performance made headlines as he challenged Rory McIlroy, finishing fourth behind Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau with a 9-under-par score.
Despite his on-course success, his past disgressions continue to follow him. Yet, on Monday, Reed's LIV Golf team, 4Aces GC, proudly announced his qualification on X:
"Patrick Reed will be attending the 2025 U.S. Open. #Qualified"
Fans wasted no time branding him a "cheater."
Patrick Reed will be attending the 2025 U.S Open. #Qualified ✅ pic.twitter.com/QFlYxZYPUQ — 4 Aces GC (@4AcesGC_) May 26, 2025
The allegations against Reed date back to his college days at the University of Georgia, where classmates allegedly accused him of cheating and stealing.
The reputation stuck with him through his PGA Tour career, where he was called out for rule violations. Well, even now, he remains infamous for the same reasons.
Nevertheless, Reed continues to play well and secured his U.S. Open spot by climbing into the top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), something Garcia failed to do.
Once ranked second in the world, Garcia now sits below 400th position.
LIV Golf's Patrick Reed secured the U.S. Open spot while Major Winner, Sergio Garcia, still stays out of the field, ending his 25-year streak. (Image Collage | Credits: Getty Images)
LIV Golf's Patrick Reed secured the U.S. Open spot while Major Winner, Sergio Garcia, still stays out of the field, ending his 25-year streak. (Image Collage | Credits: Getty Images)
Getty Images
Sergio Garcia still prays for a 'miracle' for U.S. Open
Garcia's failure to qualify has also raised concerns about his Ryder Cup chances under Luke Donald's captaincy at Bethpage Black.
Three days after failing to qualify for Oakmont, Garcia prayed for a 'miracle' while expressing his emotion over his Instagram profile.
"Unfortunately after failing to qualify on Monday by one shot, looks like my run of 25 consecutive U.S. Open Championships might come to an end this year, unless a little miracle happens."
He ended the message saying, "Very proud of this amazing run that I had at this great Major!"
Alongside his post, Garcia shared a throwback picture from his 2016 U.S. Open final round, where he finished fourth with scores of 68-70-72-70.
That year, Dustin Johnson claimed victory (also at Oakmont), but Garcia still "felt it was good" and no doubt his recent post shouted the same.
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