Several High-Profile LIV Golf Players Have Opted Not to Attempt to Qualify for the U.S. Open
While there are still nearly two months before the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, qualifying is already underway for America’s national championship. And while several LIV Golf players are already eligible, there are a few high-profile names who aren’t, including a few past major champions.
But while some have opted to attempt to qualify for the season’s third major championship, others have chosen not to do so.
Which LIV Golf players are currently eligible for the 2023 U.S. Open?
Before we get to those from LIV Golf who are choosing not to even try to qualify for the 2023 U.S. Open, let’s take a quick look at those who are already in.
First, of course, you’ve got those who’ve won the U.S. Open in the past 10 years, a list that includes Martin Kaymer (2014), Dustin Johnson (2016), Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018), and Bryson DeChambeau (2020).
Then you’ve got recent major championship winners Phil Mickelson (2021 PGA Championship) and Cameron Smith (2022 Open Championship), as well as Joaquin Niemann, who qualified and was eligible for the 2022 PGA Tour Championship.
Several big names from LIV Golf have opted not to attempt to qualify
The USGA received a record 10,187 entries for more than 100 U.S. Open qualifying events around the world. But some of LIV Golf’s most notable names opted not to even bother trying to get to LA, a list that includes two-time U.S. Open runner-up Louis Oosthuizen. Paul Casey, Charles Howell III, Ian Poulter, Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson, and Lee Westwood are out as well.
There are others who likely chose not to attempt to qualify because they feel they’ll still be in the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking come the May 22 deadline, such as Abraham Ancer, Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters, Mito Pereira, and Talor Gooch.
Among the notables who are attempting to qualify are Harold Varner III, Marc Leishman, Matthew Wolff, and Sergio Garcia.
Sergio hasn’t missed a U.S. Open since the turn of the century and hasn’t had to go through qualifying since 2011, when he advanced to Congressional in a 7-for-4 playoff in Tunica, Mississippi. Garcia is set for a 36-hole qualifier on Monday, May 22, in Dallas.
Continue to check back with Sportscasting, as we’ll be sure to keep you updated on the 2023 U.S. Open field as the event gets closer.
