With the PGA Championships over and done with, it is time to prepare for the next major. The next major is the US Open, happening from June 12-15. Already, some of the top names are qualified. Joaquinn Niemann is qualified but wants to give his spot away. Elsewhere, there are qualifying rounds underway. In one of those qualifying rounds was LIV golfer Sam Horsfield, who ended up withdrawing after the first round, as reported by Golf Monthly. Why did he withdraw so soon? Wouldn’t he have had a chance anyway?
Horsfield At Walton Heath
These qualifying rounds were occurring at the Walton Heath Country Club in the UK. Not too far from where Horsfield lives. There were only 8 spots available, and Horsfield was vying for one of those spots. For the first half of the first round, Horsfield was having a great game. Having three birdies and one bogey, he was two under and was riding along nicely. That is, until the tenth hole, where he started getting quite a few bogeys. Horsfield managed to get three bogeys and then a triple bogey, putting him 2 over for the round.
Horsfield Drops Out
It was in the face of those bogeys that led to Horsfield dropping out and packing it in. A strange decision because this was only after the first round. There were other players who withdrew like this. Among the withdrawn players were Todd Clements, Callum Shinkwin, and Alex Fitzpatrick. There was also Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts. Not exactly a group of underachievers, two of the players were champions of the DP World Tour.
Was This A Good Move?
This is not the first time Horsfield withdrew from the US Open. The last time it happened, it was because he caught COVID-19 in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic. Withdrawing after only the first round is a very odd decision. There were plenty more chances for Horsfield to catch up. Considering that he had a really good first half, and even got another birdie in the second half. Having a bad few holes is not unusual. Rory McIlroy had a couple of issues in the Masters Tournament, and he took home the trophy.
Horsfield’s withdrawal is more of a missed opportunity, especially because he is a LIV golfer. That means that he will have struggles going to the majors and anything outside of LIV. Niemann detailed the same thing after getting into the top ten of the PGA Championship. Also, events outside of LIV are the only way to score OWGR points, despite efforts from LIV to be recognized by the organization.
Sam Horsfield Going Forward
This missed opportunity could negatively affect Sam Horsfield in the future. Sure, it was no guarantee that he would have been able to make it to the US Open, but dropping out only ensured it. The qualifying rounds could have easily turned around in Horsfield’s favor, and there is a strong likelihood that it would have too. Unfortunately, what is done is done. Sam Horsfield is among the names that will not be seen at the US Open, an event that he has played in before.
Main Photo Credit: © Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images
