• Open Championship

Injured Garcia withdraws from Open qualifying

ESPN staff
May 23, 2011
Sergio Garcia will need to try and make the Open field at another time © Getty Images
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Injury forced Sergio Garcia to withdraw from his first attempt to qualify for the Open Championship after just four holes on Monday.

Garcia, who is out of the world's top 50 and will thus need to find another way to qualify for both the British major at Royal St George's in July and the US Open next month, was forced to pull out of one of the first qualification events at Gleneagles Country Club in Texas due to an injured finger.

"Unfortunately had to wd [withdraw] from qualifier this morning because of an infected fingernail in my left hand," Garcia said on Twitter. "Couldn't hold the club comfortably.

"Hopefully I'll be fine for Thursday at the Nelson [PGA Tour event the Byron Nelson Classic]. Sorry guys!"

Heavy rainfall subsequently forced the 36-hole event to be reduced to 18 holes, as players including US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III and former Masters champion Mike Weir look to secure their spot in the Open field.

Garcia will have further opportunities to qualify for the tournament in which he was the runner-up to Padraig Harrington in 2007.

He also needs to make his way into the field for the US Open at Congressional next month, but has insisted he will not go through qualifying for that event - meaning he will need to elevate himself into the top 50 in the world rankings.

The Spaniard is currently 73rd.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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