Three years after departing from the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, Sergio Garcia finds himself in unfamiliar territory—on the outside looking in. For the first time since 1999, the Spanish star is on the verge of missing the U.S. Open, ending a remarkable 25-year streak of appearances. And now, Garcia is openly praying for a miracle.
After failing to qualify by just one shot during the Monday qualifier in Dallas, Garcia took to social media with a heavy heart:
*“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.”*
The Slip That Cost It All
Garcia’s qualifying performance was a rollercoaster, ending with a painful bogey on the final hole. A three-putt on the last green saw him finish at 6-under for the 36-hole event—just shy of earning a spot in a 7-for-1 playoff. Cameras even caught Garcia in tears on the 18th green, a rare emotional moment from a player known for his fire and composure.
Fallout from LIV Golf
Since joining LIV Golf in 2022, Garcia’s world ranking has plummeted to 396, eliminating his automatic qualification for most majors. While he retains lifetime access to The Masters, his path to the U.S. Open and The Open now depends on qualifying rounds or special exemptions—neither of which are guaranteed.
His recent record in majors reflects the struggles: just one top-20 finish (U.S. Open 2024) in the last three years.
Ryder Cup Hopes Fading
Garcia’s woes don’t stop at the majors. Once a Ryder Cup stalwart, he’s now fighting to earn a spot on Team Europe for 2025. Despite paying fines to rejoin the DP World Tour, his recent LIV performances—finishing outside the top 40 in South Korea and Mexico—don’t bode well. He trails 47 points behind the top-ranked Joaquin Niemann on the LIV leaderboard.
Even Garcia admits he’s not in form:
*“The way I’m playing, even if Luke \[Donald] offered me a pick right now, I would tell him no.”*
What’s Next?
Final qualifying events for the U.S. Open take place June 2 in the U.S. and Canada. A late exemption is still possible, and some golf insiders—including Golf Channel’s Rex Lavner—argue Garcia’s 25-year record and five U.S. Open top-10s make a strong case.
Meanwhile, the Ryder Cup clock is ticking. Garcia’s legendary legacy, including six wins in ten appearances and a record 28½ points, still carries weight—but only if he can recapture his competitive edge.
Whether or not that miracle comes, Sergio Garcia’s career now teeters between redemption and quiet decline. And for the first time in over two decades, the U.S. Open may go on without him.