Nine LIV Golf stars to miss Open over civil war with PGA including 2023 champ

LIV GOLF’s ongoing civil war with the PGA Tour continues to drag the biggest stars away from the biggest stages.

Fans have been missing out on watching some of the world’s best players take part in the majors, and this week’s Open will be no different.

Royal Troon is ready to welcome Golf’s most exciting players, but there’s NINE huge names from LIV Golf that won’t be heading to Scotland for the final major of the season.

Stars who jumped ship to the Saudi-backed circuit are unable climb the Official World Golf Rankings through their LIV performances.

That means that they have to rely on exemptions, superb major form or turn to the competition’s qualifying events to secure a spot in the field.

Here’s a look at nine of the biggest names that won’t be at the world’s oldest golf tournament as a result…

Sergio Garcia

One of the best players in the world, Sergio Garcia has sunk to 323rd in the world rankings since ditching the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.

The 2017 Masters Champion saw his five-year exemption expire this year – forcing him to try and earn a spot through qualification.

The Spaniard gave it a good crack, but fell two shots short of booking his place in the field on the Final Qualifying at West Lancashire Golf Club.

Talor Gooch

LIV Golf’s individual champ last year would be expected to line up in the majors.

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However, his hard work in the Saudi league earns him no points in the world rankings and means his 751st place ranking has him way off qualification.

Gooch didn’t even have a crack at earning his spot through qualification and turned down the chance to play in the qualifiers instead.

Paul Casey

Another LIV Golf star that turned down the chance to play in Final Qualifying.

The former world number three hasn’t played in a major since The Open in 2022 at St Andrews.

Ian Poulter

Despite once finishing second in The Open, Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter has turned down the chance to play in Final Qualifying to earn his place this year.

The Postman explained his decision to skip the tournament was down to going on holiday with his family.

Speaking to TalkSPORT, he said: “I had the ability to go and qualify and I didn’t.

“I was on holiday with the family in Switzerland instead. That is what LIV Golf has given me, a bit more family time. I still have got a busy schedule with LIV playing 14 tournaments.”

Lee Westwood

Now turning towards Senior golf alongside the LIV tour, Westwood has turned down the chance to enter The Open through qualification.

Westwood, 51, did the same last year – bringing an end to his 27 consecutive appearances at The Open.

Bubba Watson

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has never had much luck at The Open, with his highest finishing coming at T23 in 2012.

So it’s no surprise that the 45-year-old won’t be competing this year either.

His lifetime exemption to the Masters means that an annual Augusta appearance tends to be the only time he rears his head at majors these days.

Thomas Pieters

Belgian Thomas Pieters is another star who won’t be teeing up at Royal Troon.

The 32-year-old was once ranked at world number 23, but is now way down the pile at 310th.

Martin Kaymer

The 2014 US Open champion is another LIV star who turned down qualification.

Martin Kaymer made the cut at the US Open at Pinehurst last month, but won’t be attending this weekend’s events.

Graeme McDowell

Another US Open champ that won’t be attending.

Graeme McDowell, who won the US Open in 2010, did give qualification a go, but failed to make the grade during the Kent Final Qualifying.

LIV Golf qualifiers

Despite nine big names not making an appearance at Royal Troon this week, there are some LIV stars who will be competing for the Claret Jug.

Exemptions, world ranking statuses and qualifications have meant player such as Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson will be amongst the field in Scotland.