LIV Golf star Sergio Garcia loses his cool at Open Qualifying with demand to officials

Sergio Garcia, currently competing at the West Lancashire Open Qualifying, has voiced his displeasure regarding the event’s organization, specifically citing crowd control issues. The Spanish golfer, who is attempting to secure a spot at this month’s Open Championship at Royal Troon, was visibly frustrated with the way the crowd was managed during his round.

Having lost his Open exemption and slipped in the Official World Golf Ranking due to his association with LIV Golf, Garcia has turned to the 36-hole qualifying event in hopes of making a comeback. He started his first round early at 7:50 a.m. BST, paired with DP World Tour players Sam Bairstow and Alex Maguire. Despite challenging conditions, Garcia’s participation drew a significant number of spectators, eager to see the former Masters champion in action.

However, the large turnout led to problems on the eighth tee. Course marshals directed the crowd down the left side of the hole while Garcia and his group awaited their turn. Garcia, who ended up hitting his shot into trouble on the left, expressed his irritation towards the officials, stating that the event needed better organization. His frustration continued into the next hole, and by the turn, he was at one-over-par, trailing the early leader, Maguire, by three shots.

This isn’t Garcia’s first attempt at qualifying at West Lancashire; he also competed there last year but failed to make the cut for the Open at Royal Liverpool. Reflecting on that experience, Garcia had appreciated the support from the spectators, saying, “I’m sure that a lot of the people who were following me today would’ve loved to have seen me at Hoylake, but hopefully, I’ll be back soon.”

Garcia’s comments highlight his connection with the fans, particularly in the UK. He noted the impressive turnout for a British Open qualifier and expressed a desire to deliver more memorable moments for them.

Garcia, who has played in 24 consecutive Open Championships since 1998, missed qualifying last year and is determined to return to the prestigious tournament. With four spots available at West Lancashire, he remains hopeful of making his way back to the final major of the year.