“They obviously don’t want me to play or they wouldn’t have altered the criteria to relinquish my best chance of playing,” Talor Gooch tweeted in 2023, after USGA CEO Mike Whan stated that while he’d love to see Gooch qualify for the U.S. Open, there would be no special exemption made for him. Gooch’s frustration stemmed from the USGA’s decision to remove his exemption after he’d earned it, which he saw as a case of “rules are for others, but not for me” – a move that seemed to contradict Whan’s words. Fast forward to the present, and it seems Gooch’s U.S. Open woes continue.

The golfer will be missing the U.S. Open for the third time in a row, after walking off the course with three holes to play at the final qualifying stage, resulting in a DNF that sealed his absence from this year’s tournament. “This year’s U.S. Open will have an asterisk beside it as LIV Golf star Talor Gooch will not be in the field after walking off the course with 3 holes to play at final qualifying. He DNF”, read the tweet by NUCLR Golf.

This news comes after the 2024 drama surrounding the same topic. “I’m not,” Gooch said when he was asked if he’d attempt to qualify for the 2024 U.S. Open, offering no further explanation, and the golf world lost its collective minds over it. The LIV Golf League star’s decision not to participate in qualifying came amid ongoing tensions between LIV Golf players and the USGA. Even now, the $55 million man is having a rough ride with the USGA, and fans are waiting with bated breath to see what will happen next.

Well, while Gooch deals with the USGA, many other golfers have booked their spot for the third major of the season.

How many golfers made the US Open’s cutthroat cut?

At Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, 86 hopefuls threw their hats into the ring, competing in a grueling 36-hole contest for just seven coveted spots in the US Open. Dane Rasmus Neergard-Petersen reigned supreme, finishing 11-under and securing his debut at Oakmont. PGA Tour pros James Hahn and Adam Schenk came close behind, sharing second place and booking their tickets to the major. They were joined by amateur phenoms Lance Simpson and Cameron Tankersley, and LIV Golfer Carlos Ortiz, who sneaked in just in time.

Meanwhile, golf’s elite had a brutal day, with Sergio Garcia‘s 25-year streak of consecutive US Open appearances potentially coming to an end after he narrowly missed the cut. LIV Golfers Abraham Ancer and Caleb Surratt also had a rough go, and Talor Gooch dipped out after just 15 holes. With so many big names falling short, the question on everyone’s mind is: who’s the real wildcard in this year’s US Open? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!