Hatton Captures LIV Golf Andalucía As Garcia’s Open Hopes Fade

BusinessSportsMoneyHatton Captures LIV Golf Andalucía As Garcia’s Open Hopes FadeByTim Corlett,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Professional and Amateur Golffor Break80Follow AuthorJun 07, 2026, 12:10pm EDTJun 07, 2026, 12:10pm EDTCADIZ, SPAIN - JUNE 6: Tyrrell Hatton of Legion XIII plays his second shot on the 1st hole during day three of LIV Golf Andalucia at Real Club Valderrama on June 6, 2026 in Cadiz, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)Getty ImagesA packed LIV Golf Andalucía leaderboard included Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Abraham Ancer, but a victory would have meant the most to Sergio Garcia.Garcia, a possible future Hall of Fame golfer and major champion, has watched his access to golf’s biggest tournaments—the majors—slowly dwindle as his Official World Golf Ranking has fallen and his exemptions have expired. A win at LIV Golf Andalucía would have granted him entry into The Open Championship.With Hatton leading by one stroke with two holes to play, Garcia hit his tee shot well right on the difficult 16th hole. His approach shot came up short of the green after being stymied by a tree. Garcia bogeyed the hole, effectively ending his hopes of winning and securing a spot in The Open.“Restricted backswing, trying to drive that low,” announcer David Feherty said of Garcia’s greenside shot.Hatton, meanwhile, drove the ball just left of the fairway and hit his wedge approach to 18 feet. He birdied the hole to increase his lead to two strokes over Rahm and three over Garcia.“I didn’t think if I landed on the green that I could keep it pin-high,” Hatton said of his wedge shot into the 16th hole.Rahm made a birdie with an up-and-down from the bunker beyond the green on the par-5 17th hole to remain one shot behind Hatton. Hatton then hit his ball into the same bunker as Rahm and, like Rahm, converted the birdie opportunity.“He is a fierce competitor,” announcer Arlo White said. “He was two over par after t...