Both Jason Kokrak and Graeme McDowell have opted to enter U.S. Open and Open Championship qualifying, but their LIV Golf teammate Talor Gooch is not taking the opportunity
Talor Gooch has revealed he will not head to qualifying for the U.S. Open and Open Championship despite being ineligible to compete in any major championship this season.
Gooch announced himself as LIV Golf’s No. 1 player in 2023, after winning three times on the way to collecting the individual championship. His hot form came without world ranking points though, with LIV yet to acquire accreditation from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
On the back of being crowned LIV’s individual champion last season, Gooch has raised the issue of his lack of major status on more than one occasion, even questioning the integrity of this year’s Masters without the inclusion of a number of breakaway league members.
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He does have the ability to forge a way into the U.S. Open and Open Championship, with a certain amount of places earned via qualifying events around the globe. However, the Smash GC star has opted to not take advantage of the route, admitting he will not attempt to qualify for either of the two flagship events this summer.
Gooch revealed his decision to not enter qualifying at LIV Singapore this week. Two of his Smash teammates – Jason Kokrak and Graeme McDowell – will take the qualifier route, as they both look to break back onto the major stage having fallen down the world rankings.
McDowell first revealed he would go to qualifying for both events in an interview with Mirror Sport last month. “I will go to U.S. Open qualifying and I will go to Open qualifying as well,” the 2011 U.S. Open champion said. I’m going to see, and do, what I can do to get into these events…
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“Regardless of what anyone thinks, everyone of the 54 LIV players out here really gives a s*** about the majors. They are the most important events and we care a lot. From my point of view I will be working as hard as I can to get into the two majors that I have available to me.”
Kokrak confirmed his attentions whilst speaking alongside Gooch and McDowell in Singapore this week. “I personally am [going to qualifying],” the former PGA Tour star claimed. “Doing the U.S. Open in Columbus and then the Open in Manchester. I plan on playing both of them.”
Reinforcing his past comments, McDowell – who went to both qualifying events in 2023 – then added: “I’m the same. I’ve entered for both qualifiers. I think I’m in Florida Monday of Houston and then just south of London the Tuesday of the International Series Morocco, which I’ll go and play right after the Open qualifying series. Obviously I’ll be pulling hard for this guy in a couple weeks’ time but obviously trying to get into a couple majors myself.”
