02-07-2025
Open Championship: LIV Golfer Left Dizzy, Quits Qualifying
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Sam Horsfield was disqualified from the Final Qualifier for The Open Championship played on Tuesday at West Lancashire Golf Club. He only played the first nine of the 36 holes scheduled for the event, and by then had a score of 7-over.
The disqualification came about because Horsfield left the course after completing the front nine of the first round without notifying the officials. Although the player did not deny that his decision was related to his poor performance, he did explain that he was not in the best physical condition:
"I felt completely dizzy and out of it all day," Horsfield posted on Instagram.
Sam Horsfield of England reacts after being defeated by James Nitties of Australia in the semi final during day four of the World Super 6 at Lake Karrinyup Country Club on February 11, 2018 in...
Sam Horsfield of England reacts after being defeated by James Nitties of Australia in the semi final during day four of the World Super 6 at Lake Karrinyup Country Club on February 11, 2018 in Perth, Australia. MoreThe reason for his "dizziness" had to do with a bad night's sleep, as he himself explained:
"I flew back home Sunday night and landed into [London airport] Heathrow at 4pm. By the time I got up to West Lancs, it was about late. Had a bit of dinner and fell asleep at 10:30/11," he said.
"At 1AM the fire alarm went off and we had to go stand outside for an hour or so. I eventually got back sleep around 5:30 for a 6am alarm, which I slept thru, but fortunately my caddy woke me up."
Horsfield arrived in West Lancashire straight from playing the LIV Golf Dallas at Maridoe Golf Club, where he finished tied for 25th.
The three-time DP World Tour winner has competed in three editions of the Open Championship with a made cut (tied for 67th in 2021).
Sam Horsfield has responded to the report around him withdrawing from Open Qualifying. A little bit of context goes a long way. — Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) July 1, 2025
LIV Golf players qualified for The Open Championship
Lucas Herbert was the only LIV golfer to qualify in West Lancashire, and he did so with mealist honors, finishing first with a score of 8-under. Fellow league players Harold Varner III and Andy Ogletree failed to secure any of the five spots at Royal Portrush that were contested there.
Lee Westwood and Dean Burmester also qualified through the final qualifiers. The Englishman did so at the Dundonald Links event, and the South African at the Royal Cinque Ports.
Here is the complete list of LIV golfers who have qualified to play in the 2025 Open Championship:
Bryson DeChambeau
Jon Rahm
Tyrrell Hatton
Dustin Johnson
Brooks Koepka
Phil Mickelson
Patrick Reed
Cameron Smith
Jason Kokrak
Joaquin Niemann
Louis Oosthuizen
Carlos Ortiz
Tom McKibbin
Henrik Stenson
John Catlin
Lee Westwood
Lucas Herbert
Dean Burmester
This is likely the final list of LIV Golf players at Royal Portrush, as the remaining options to qualify are related to membership in the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour.
There is also the possibility that some LIV golfers could receive a special invitation, although this is a remote possibility, as the R&A does not routinely issue such exemptions.
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