LIV Golf star speaks out after suddenly being disqualified from Open qualifying

LIV Golf star Sam Horsfield has reacted after failing to qualify for the Open Championship. The 28-year-old competed in a qualifying event at West Lancashire golf course on Tuesday but was disqualified.

The tournament was one of four qualifying events as golfers attempted to secure their place at the major. Horsfield failed to qualify for the Open Championship after walking off the course on seven-over-par after nine holes following three consecutive double-bogeys.

However, the LIV golfer was technically disqualified after failing to notify tournament officials. Horsfield has since explained that his travel from the recent LIV Dallas event led to his struggles in qualifying.

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“So I flew back home Sunday night and landed into Heathrow at 4pm,” he wrote on Instagram. “By the time I got up to West Lancs it was [late]. Had a bit of dinner and fell asleep at 10.30/11pm.

“At 1am, the fire alarm went off and we had to go stand outside for an hour or so. I eventually got back to sleep around 5.30am for a 6am alarm, which I slept thru, but fortunately my caddy woke me up…I felt completely dizzy and out of it all day.”

Referencing social media reaction to his result, Horsfield added: “Don’t listen to the propaganda out there against LIV players by some of these pages. Hope this clears things up. See you guys in Valderamma next week.”

The 28-year-old, who joined the LIV tour in 2022, made his first appearance at the Open last year but will not return this time. However, there will be 19 LIV golfers at Portrush, including three who earned their spots through the qualifying events.

Fellow LIV star Lucas Herbert had a different experience to Horsfield at West Lancashire. The Australian topped the leaderboard after carding eight-under to claim one of the five qualifying spots.

Dean Burmester was another who clinched a spot at the Open through the qualifying events on Tuesday. The 36-year-old recorded an impressive 10-under at Royal Cinque Ports in Kent, finishing with a four-shot lead.

Meanwhile, Lee Westwood will return to the Open for the first time since 2022 after registering seven-under at Dundonald Links. The English golfer twice finished runner-up at the major in 2010 and 2016. Westwood also finished T4 when the Open was last held at Portrush.

“I’ve always said it’s the greatest championship in golf and as a British player you get phenomenal support,” he told reporters. “I really enjoyed Portrush last time. I finished fourth and played nicely.

“I’m just looking forward to enjoying the week at Portrush. Seeing a few old friends and enjoying that golf course. For me, it’s in the top three links courses in the British Isles.”

Majesticks GC team-mates Horsfield and Westwood will be in action at LIV Andalucia next Friday. The Open Championship tees off at Portrush on July 17.