Sergio Garcia makes clear excuse after LIV Golf star misses out on The Open

Sergio Garcia has called out tournament organisers after agonisingly missing out on The Open Championship. The 44-year-old fired rounds of 71 and 70 in the final qualifying stage at West Lancashire Golf Club, finishing two shots off the marker that would have sealed a play-off spot.

It means the Spaniard, who has become a divisive figure within the sport since his controversial move to LIV Golf in 2022, won’t be in the field at Royal Troon this month.

During the qualifying event, Garcia was seen confronting officials after his group were handed a warning for slow play.

And he’s now claimed that the potential sanction forced him to rush his shots, which proved disruptive during the final holes. He also argued his group were slowed down because of fans being permitted to roam on the course.

"The marshals were doing as good a job as they could do but we had to stop pretty much on every tee for two or three minutes because people were walking on the fairways,” he said. “Unless we wanted to start hitting people, we couldn't hit. I don't think they took that into account and that was unfortunate as it made us rush.

"On a day like today, where the conditions are so tricky, you might need a little bit of extra time. And because of that I made a couple of bogeys which might have cost me getting to Troon."

The veteran has now competed in 99 major championships, and is now set to bring up the magical three figures at the US Masters next April. Garcia is already guaranteed entry to Augusta as a former champion.

But he has now not played at Britain’s most iconic tournament since 2022, when he finished tied for 68th. Despite his disappointment, Garcia argued he left everything out on the course.

"I come here and I try my hardest to get into The Open," he added. "It would be nice to make The Open my 100th Major, but it was tough conditions and sometimes things don't go your way. I tried everything that I could and that's all I can ask myself for.”

Garcia at least as a home LIV Golf event to look forward to this month. The next rebel tournament takes place in Valderrama in Spain from July 12-14, and he’ll head in lying seventh in the standings.

The former Ryder Cup hero is yet to win on the Saudi-backed venture though, and missed out on a spot at the most iconic event in team golf in Rome last year. In 10 appearances for Team Europe, Garcia has been on the winning side six times and has the most points (28.5) of any European player.