Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia have both failed to qualify for the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool later this month.
The LIV duo were both in action at West Lancashire golf course on Tuesday and neither managed to secure one of the five qualification spots on offer.
A final score of 4-under wasn't enough for McDowell and the 2010 US Open Champion will miss the championship for a third year in a row.
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After 36-holes of action, Garcia had to make do with a tie for 6th place on a score of 6-under, a result which means the 2017 Masters champion will not feature at an Open Championship for the first time since 1997.
The Spaniard was in a strong position after shooting 67 in his opening round but could only manage a 71 in the afternoon as his near three-decade streak of Open Championship appearances came to an end.
“I haven’t really missed many Majors since turning pro in 1999, just one because of Covid and the PGA a couple of months ago, and unfortunately, I’m going to miss this one,” Garcia said.
“It’s a shame, but it’s the game. I felt I had it close, in the grasp of my hand, but that’s what it is. If you don’t even come here, you can’t get disappointed because you are not even trying. I was trying and unfortunately, it just wasn’t good enough.”
A total of 19 places were up for grabs across four venues on Tuesday, with play taking place at Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports, Royal Porthcawl along with West Lancs.
Belfast star Matt McClean finished 3-under for his two rounds at West Lancs, but it was the man he famously beat in the 2022 US Mid-Amateur Championship, Hugh Foley, that came the closest of the Irish amateurs to qualify.
Foley had 10 Birdies and a hole-in-one for his two rounds to finish on level par for the day. He cruelly lipped out on his 36th and final hole for par, a score that would have secured him a place at Hoylake.
“Pretty gutted, to be honest,” said the 26-year-old Royal Dublin star, “After an eagle and 10 birdies in two rounds, I really felt like it should’ve been my day.
“Tough to miss all three majors this year so narrowly, but my time is coming and my game feels great.”
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