9 big names who failed at US Open Final Qualifying (including the end of a 25-year streak)

By , Golf writer and wannabe darts player.

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A number of tour winners are taking place in US Open Final Qualifying.

Being a big name in golf doesn’t always get you major starts. So who failed to make the cut in US Open Final Qualifying? Let’s dive in…

The PGA Championship is a wrap which means attention in the men’s game immediately turns to the next major which is right around the corner.

The world’s best will descend upon the iconic and often brutal Oakmont to tackle the US Open and attempt to carve their name into the history – and trophy – of America’s national championship. 

However, for those not exempt, the small matter of qualifying was the first step on the journey to potential victory.

The first round of the Final Qualifying events have happened in Japan, England and the United States, and some big names have already missed out on their chance to make the 156-man field – particularly at Walton Heath and Bent Tree Country Club.

9 big names who fell at US Open Final Qualifying

In no particular order (other than alphabetical), they are…

Abraham Ancer

Two former LIV Golf teammates booked their spots at Oakmont in Japan, but it was a tough day in the States for another LIV cohort. The Mexican’s rounds of 67 and 74 left him six shots off the mark required.

Cameron Champ

The big-hitting Camerom Champ was another hopeful to fall by the wayside at Bent Tree. After a slow start to the day, a birdie at his final hole would have earned him a spot in the playoff, but a bogey put paid to his chances.

Joel Dahmen

The highly likeable American kicked off with a five-under 66 but was 2-over through 14 in his second round before throwing in the towel. 

Alex Fitzpatrick

His older brother is a US Open champion and the younger Fitzpatrick was playing for the chance to make his debut, but it wasn’t to be this time. The Englishman labored to a first-round 76 and then opted to call it a day there.

Sergio Garcia

The Spaniard endured a difficult PGA Championship. He made the cut but finished 18 shots behind eventual winner Scottie Scheffler in a tie for 67th. Garcia was so disappointed in his showing, in fact, that he said he would struggle to accept a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup in September should Luke Donald give him the nod.

But the 45-year-old LIV player dusted himself off to take on US Open qualifying at Bent Tree.

A 6-under 65 had Garcia, who has played in every US Open since 2000, well placed after the first round but it all came down to his 36th and final hole of the day. He needed a birdie to get in automatically and a par to get into a playoff but a three-putt extinguished all hope and, minus a special invite, brought his streak of 25 straight US Open appearances to a sad end. 

Talor Gooch

For those that missed out, they can at least console themselves with the knowledge that there will be an asterisk beside the eventual champion’s name due to the absence of American Gooch.

Since joining LIV in 2022, Gooch has been rather outspoken about the lack of major exemptions for players on the breakaway tour and has opted not to try and qualify for the game’s showpiece events on several occasions in protest. The less said about the rationale behind that decision the better.

Anyway, the American did at least join Garcia in Dallas and try to gain a place in the field for what would be just his third US Open start. Long story short, he played 15 holes in 1-over and decided to walk off, meaning he has missed out on six of the last eight majors.

Branden Grace

South African Grace didn’t even make it as far as the first tee, withdrawing from the event completely for reasons unknown.

Adrian Meronk

LIV’s Adrian Meronk endured a day to forget at the Walton Heath. A 4-over 76 to open left him a mountain to climb and he continued to struggle in round two, playing the first 15 holes in eight-over before retiring and sparing himself any more misery.

Francesco Molinari

Another casualty in Surrey. The 2018 Open champion, whose brother Edoardo grabbed one of the eight automatic spots, posted a 4-under total to miss out on the play-off by three shots.

Other veterans failing to book their spot in the third major at the Walton Heath qualifier include Nicolas Colsaerts, Jorge Campillo, Robert Rock and Ross Fisher.

So who did make it through US Open Final Qualifying?

Well, you can see all the results right here.

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