Some big name LIV Golfers are missing out on the Open Championship

Some big name LIV Golfers are missing out on the Open Championship

19 LIV Golfers are teeing it up at the Open next week, but there are several big names from the league missing out

The Claret Jug is displayed during previews for The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club

A total of 19 LIV Golfers are in the field for the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush next week.

This is a circuit record for players from the breakaway league in a single major championship and several have a great chance of winning.

 

Royal Portrush Golf Club will host the open for the third time this year (Ross Kinnaird/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

The likes of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann have performed wonderfully throughout 2025. Can they take this form into the final major of the year?

While a few of the players qualified due to having major exemptions, over a dozen entered final qualifying in a bid to seal their spots at Portrush.

Lee Westwood, Lucas Herbert and Dean Burmester did just that, although various big names failed at the final hurdle.

There may be a record number of participants from LIV this year, but there are a few players who wont be present in Northern Ireland.

Ian Poulter

Poulter entered final qualifying after giving it a miss in 2024 and he was bidding to make his first appearance at the Open since 2022.

 

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Ian Poulter misses out on the Open Championship once again (Joe Giddens/PA)

The Englishman played Royal Cinque Ports, the same venue that his son was competing at, but he failed to make it into the top five after rounds of 72 and 71 to miss out.

He finished T62 at St Andrews three years ago, but could this be his final ever Open appearance? Only time will tell.

Paul Casey

Like Poulter, Paul Casey last competed in a major at the 2022 Open, going on to finish T53 in Scotland that week.

He was set to tee it up in final qualifying, but withdrew prior to the 36-hole event, thus missing out on a place at another major.

Abraham Ancer

The Mexican has been solid throughout the 2025 LIV Golf season, currently occupying 23rd in the standings.

He was also set to take part in final qualifying for the Open, but withdrew just prior to the event.

Graeme McDowell

The 2010 US Open champion entered final qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports, but missed a chance to return to Portrush after carding rounds of 70 and 73 in Kent.

 

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Graeme McDowell made the cut in 2019 at Royal Portrush (Niall Carson/PA Wire)

McDowell made the cut here six years ago, but he will be a pundit at the event, joining the Sky Sports Golf team for the event.

David Puig

Puig is one of the finest talents in the LIV Golf League and he looks set for a bright future in the game.

He sits ninth in the standings after a consistent 2025 so far, but he won’t be at Portrush.

An opening round of 64 had him closing in on a spot, but he shot 78 in the afternoon to miss out next week.

Branden Grace

In the 2017 Open, Grace recorded the very first round of 62 in a major championship. This came during his third round at Royal Birkdale, where he finished T6 in the end.

Like Casey and Ancer, the South African was set to take part in final qualifying, but he withdrew before the event.

Updated: July 14, 2025