This Friday marks the start of the LIV Golf in Dallas at the Maridoe Golf Club. It is not just another week in the Saudi league. This time, there is more at stake than just a fortune for winning or climbing the rankings of the circuit itself. There is an extra incentive. A big one. Specifically, we are talking about qualification for the Open Championship. The best golfer in the LIV Golf ranking within the top 5 who is not already qualified by some other means will receive the ticket to play at Royal Portrush.
It is a big prize. No doubt about it. A total of eleven players are vying for it. They are the ones with mathematical chances. Namely: Sergio García, Lucas Herbert, Sebastián Muñoz, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Charl Schwartzel, Anirban Lahiri, Adrian Meronk, Thomas Pieters, Talor Gooch, and Abraham Ancer.
Before the Dallas tournament begins, the spot belongs to Sergio García. The Borriol native must defend his position fiercely. He is currently fourth in the ranking, with three players ahead of him who are already qualified for the Open through different criteria (Niemann, DeChambeau, and Rahm). As it stands, the only one who depends on himself is Sergio. However, to avoid having to look at any other results, the 2017 Masters champion would need to win the tournament. Not even a solo second place would guarantee it, as if Herbert or Muñoz were to win the tournament, they would surpass him.
These are the minimum requirements for each of the players involved in this Dallas battle:
– Sergio García: depends on himself. If he wins, the spot is his. If he finishes second or worse, it will depend on other results.
– Herbert: is 6.10 points behind Sergio, so he needs to finish at least twelfth on his own.
– Muñoz: is 8.61 points behind Sergio. He needs to finish at least tenth tied with only one player.
– Burmester: is 17.75 points behind Sergio. He needs to finish at least 4th on his own.
– Puig: is 21.80 points behind Sergio, so he would need to finish at least 3rd on his own.
– Schwartzel: is 27.84 behind Sergio. He needs to be 2nd on his own.
– Lahiri: Needs to win.
– Meronk: Needs to win.
– Pieters: needs to win.
– Gooch: needs to win.
– Ancer: needs to win.
