Sergio Garcia makes most of U.S. Open lifeline as LIV star chases major glory

Sergio Garcia only found out on Monday that he would play in his 25th consecutive U.S. Open, but the LIV Golf star took full advantage of his lifeline with an impressive opening round at Pinehurst No. 2.

The Spaniard thought his streak at the US. Open was over when he fell short in final qualifying last month in agonising fashion, losing out in a seven-for-six playoff at Dallas Athletic Club. The Ryder Cup hero had to settle for a place as an alternate, sweating on places in the field coming available.

The 44-year-old got the phone call he was waiting for on Monday, and he capitalised in style on Thursday, shooting the only bogey-free round in the early wave of players to get in the clubhouse at one-under-par, four shots back from early leader Patrick Cantlay in North Carolina.

READ MORE: US Open chief offers blunt response to LIV Golf stars and addresses possible qualification path
READ MORE: U.S. Open 2024 predictions: Can anyone stop Scottie Scheffler? Is it Rory McIlroy’s time again?

It was just the sixth bogey-free round in US Open history at Pinehurst No. 2, which is hosting the tournament for the fourth time. And Garcia was well-received by the crowd, getting a warm reception from the galleries as he masterfully plotted his way around the most difficult of layouts without dropping a shot.

“Obviously, to shoot under par in a U.S. Open, which is a championship that I love, it’s always great,” Garcia said in his post-round press conference. “To go bogey-free is even greater. It’s something that I give a lot of respect to, and I’m very proud of. I’ve had the pleasure of playing this championship 25 years in a row, so not a lot of people get to do that.

For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US .

“So I’m very, very happy to be here, and that’s why I keep trying to qualify and make it here. Very happy about the way I played, the way I managed my game throughout the whole round, and how patient I stayed all day.”

Garcia was asked about his preparation for this week, having been unsure if he would play at all. “I found out on Monday morning,” he said. “We knew that the chances were good. But until you get confirmation, obviously it’s always a little uncertain. We found out on Monday morning, and we already had plans to come here as an alternate even if we didn’t have the confirmation on Monday, but as soon as we got it, then obviously even better.”

Garcia has won just once in the past four years and he is yet to claim his first victory on LIV Golf, midway through his third season with the breakaway circuit. But the 2017 Masters champion insists he has nothing left to prove in the game.

“No, I mean, I love what I do, which is playing golf,” he explained. “I’m a competitor. I try to do it the best I can. Do I have to prove anything? No, of course not. Would I like to play better and better every day? Of course, I would. Who wouldn’t? When it comes down to proving things, I don’t think so. I think I’ve done well enough.”