The countdown to The Open Championship 2023 is on, promising avid golf enthusiasts a captivating display of raw talent and intense competition. In a joint venture sanctioned by the esteemed PGA Tour and DP World Tour, the iconic Royal Liverpool Golf Course is set to host this prestigious event from July 20 to 23, 2023. With an astounding prize pool of $16,500,000 at stake, the championship has already lured the world’s finest golfers, all eager to claim the illustrious Claret Jug.
While anticipation builds, it is inevitable that some distinguished players will be notably absent from this year’s tournament.
Notable Absences: Top 7 Players Missing from the 151st Open Championship
As golf enthusiasts gear up for The Open Championship, the absence of several perennial contenders is apparent. However, the event’s legacy of excitement and fierce competition remains intact, with promising new talents poised to make their mark.
Here are the seven esteemed players who will not be competing in the 151st Open Championship:
- Michael Block: Despite gaining recognition with a stellar performance at the PGA Championship, club pro Michael Block will not be seen at The Open Championship this year. Falling short in the Final Qualifying at Dundonald Links, Block has shifted his focus to the forthcoming PGA Championship at Valhalla.
- Will Zalatoris: Ranked an impressive 13th in the world, the immensely talented American golfer, Will Zalatoris, will miss out on all Majors this year due to back surgery he underwent in April. Having demonstrated his mettle with second-place finishes in three other Majors, Zalatoris will also have to wait for his highly anticipated debut at the Ryder Cup for Team USA.
- Daniel Berger: A former World No. 12, Daniel Berger’s unfortunate lower back ailment has led to his absence from his fifth consecutive Major. Sharing a swing video on Instagram in May, the four-time PGA Tour winner is hopeful for a swift return to competitive play.
- Ian Poulter: With an impressive 20 Open Championship appearances under his belt, Ian Poulter will be notably absent from this year’s event, marking the third time in his illustrious career. Known for his fiery play, Poulter’s legacy includes a memorable second-place finish to Padraig Harrington in the 2008 Open at Royal Birkdale. This year, his busy schedule with the LIV Golf League and other commitments prevented him from qualifying for the championship.
- Lee Westwood: A former World No. 1, Lee Westwood’s absence from The Open Championship will be felt for the first time since 1994. Breaking a remarkable streak of 27 consecutive appearances in the tournament, Westwood’s intended debut at the Senior Open didn’t pan out, resulting in his unfortunate withdrawal from The Open as well.
- Tiger Woods: An undeniable golf legend and three-time Champion Golfer of the Year, Tiger Woods will miss The Open Championship for the fifth time in his illustrious career. His triumphant victory at Hoylake in 2006 is still etched in the memories of fans, who eagerly await his return to the greens following ankle surgery.
- Sergio Garcia: Renowned for his prowess on the course, Sergio Garcia, a two-time Open Championship runner-up, will miss this year’s event for the first time since 1997. Failing to qualify at the Final Qualifying round at West Lancashire Golf Club dashed his hopes of a return to Hoylake, where he previously finished as T2nd in 2014.
Despite these notable omissions, The Open Championship 2023 promises to be a captivating and unforgettable spectacle of golfing excellence, as emerging stars and seasoned pros converge to etch their names in the tournament’s storied history.