“The way I’m playing, even if Luke offered me a pick right now, I would tell him no. Obviously, I need to get better,” said Sergio Garcia at the PGA Championship press conference. But for the Spaniard, the troubles not only stem from his lack of chances to make it onto the 2025 European Ryder Cup team, but also from the outcome of the U.S. Open Monday qualifier. Yes, for the first time and just three years after leaving the PGA Tour, Sergio Garcia will likely not tee off at the U.S. Open after he failed to secure a spot in the major championship through the qualifier.

Garcia bogeyed his final hole during a 36-hole qualifier in Dallas on Monday, which cost him a chance in a 7-for-1 playoff. He also three-putted on the last green and finished with a second-round score of 71, ending the day at 6-under. Garcia cried on the 18th hole (par 4) during the afternoon round. After he hit his second shot onto the green, he took three putts and ended up with a bogey.

It is also to be noted that the Spanish golfer has finished inside the top 20 in majors only once (U.S. Open, 2024) since he departed from the PGA Tour in 2022. The heat is getting to him, and so is the regret of breaking his streak of 25 consecutive appearances at the U.S. Open. Talking about the same on his X, the Spanish golfer said, “Unfortunately after failing to qualify on Monday by one shot, looks like my run of 25 consecutive U.S. Open Championships might come to an end this year, unless a little miracle happens. Very proud of this amazing run that I had at this great Major!“

Garcia had to participate in the U.S. Open qualifying round because leaving the Tour and joining LIV Golf caused his world ranking to drop to 396th. While past winners gain entry based on their finishes, Garcia has lifetime access to Augusta but not the other three majors. He has finished in the top 10 at the U.S. Open five times, including a T3 in 2005. The only solution? Garcia needs to receive a late special exemption to not miss the U.S. Open for the first time since 1999. Unfortunately, Garcia’s chance at The Open is also in danger with him finishing 4th at the International Series Macau in March.

Of course, his performance may also affect his chances at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in September. Garcia has not cracked the top 40 in his last two LIV individual events in South Korea and Mexico, which leaves him 47 points behind leader Joaquin Nieman. However, he could return to contention for a captain’s pick in the next six LIV tournaments if he regains his top form. Now, most of the final qualifying events are set to take place on June 2 in the U.S. and Canada. While his recent performances may not work in his favor, Sergio Garcia’s history (and experience) may.

Golf world supports Sergio Garcia’s chance at the U.S. Open (and the Ryder Cup)

We all know that if Garcia were playing on the PGA Tour, he could have qualified for the U.S. Open by winning any events offering FedEx Cup points, which increases the chances of qualification, instead of going through the qualifying process. Now, he must rely on receiving an exemption from the USGA to have that chance. As mentioned earlier, Sergio Garcia may not have a U.S. Open win in his hands right now, but he has 25 years of solid experience at the third men’s major. That makes a compelling case, as Rex Lavner pointed out on the Golf Channel Podcast: “He is not a past champion, but certainly when you have 25 years of experience in that championship.”

Of course, his “experience” in the golf tournaments also makes him a compelling character for the Ryder Cup bid. Sergio Garcia is returning to the DP World Tour after paying fines, hoping to make his 11th Ryder Cup appearance, which would match the European record. Outside that, Garcia is regarded as a legend in the European Ryder Cup, having won six times in 10 appearances. He ranks among the most successful players in the event’s history and holds records for scoring the most points (28½ points).

Talking about Garcia’s Ryder Cup chances, Lavner added, “The Ryder Cup is certainly on his radar and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald’s radar as well. But I kind of put him in the Brooks Koepka camp. Where you are only valuable if you are playing good golf at this stage.” Perhaps it is still not too late for Garcia–at least, when it comes to his Ryder Cup chances.