Patrick Reed qualifies for British Open with Macau runner-up finish
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Patrick Reed’s best performance at the British Open was 10th in 2019.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MACAU – Former Masters champion Patrick Reed qualified for the British Open after coming second behind fellow LIV Golf player Carlos Ortiz at the International Series Macau on March 23.
The Mexican also earned his spot at the Major in Portrush, Northern Ireland, in July, after holding off the American, 34, for a three-shot victory at the Asian Tour event in southern China.
Ortiz carded a final-round six-under 64 to triumph with a 22-under 258 total.
Reed, the 2018 Masters winner, had shared the lead with Ortiz heading into the final round but had to settle for a runner-up finish after carding a 67.
“A little frustrating. I didn’t make many putts. Had the case of lip-outs for two days. So that’s unfortunate. When you do something like that, it’s just hard to win golf tournaments,” said Reed, who will now compete in the sport’s oldest Major for the 10th time.
“Put myself in position, and yeah, I hit the ball plenty well enough. Sixteen greens today, had a decent amount of looks, just, you know, just lipping out and burning edges.
“So, you know, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the win. But, you know, any time you can play bogey free on Sundays, always positive, you know, really. To go and finish solo second, get a spot in The Open, yeah, it means a lot.”
Reed’s best performance at the British Open was 10th in 2019.
It will be Ortiz’s second appearance at the British Open after playing in the 2021 edition, and the fifth for Jason Kokrak, who also qualified as the American finished third at Macau Golf and Country Club, three shots further back after a 67.
“It was a good week,” said 33-year-old Ortiz, who plays for Torque GC on LIV Golf.
“I did a good job of putting the ball in play, that’s important on this golf course. I drove it really well. I took advantage of the par fives and some of the short par fours, and I mean, that’s important on this golf course.
“Most of the trouble is from the tee, so once you put the driver in play, it opens up from there. So, I did a good job from there. I didn’t take full advantage of all those great drives, but I mean I took advantage enough. I am overjoyed to be heading to the Open.”
Kokrak was one shot ahead of the 2017 Masters champion and another LIV player in Sergio Garcia (65). The Spaniard missed a three-footer for birdie on the last which would have seen him tie with Kokrak and secure a place at the British Open through countback based on his higher world rankings.
The Macau tournament was added in 2025 to the Open Qualifying Series for the first time, with the top-three players who are not already exempt earning a berth at the British Open.
LIV players do not earn world-ranking points, severely restricting their chances of qualifying for golf’s four Major tournaments. AFP
