Former World No. 2 says lasagne is to blame after missing out on qualifying for The Open.
The Open is happening from July 16 to 19 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, where some of the best golfers will compete in Southport. But a former world number two says a lasagne lunch stopped him from qualifying.
Football fans might remember “Lasagne-gate” back in 2006, when Tottenham Hotspur missed out on finishing fourth in the Premier League and didn’t get into the Champions League—while their North London rivals took that spot. Now, it seems lasagne is causing problems again, this time for a golfer trying to make it to The Open.
Sergio Garcia was trying to qualify for The Open and was doing well, especially after scoring 4-under 68 in the morning. But after lunch, when he ate lasagne in the players’ lounge, things went downhill. He felt very sick and struggled in his afternoon round.
He shot a 3-over 75 in the afternoon, ending the day at 1-under and missed the playoff by seven shots. When talking to reporters, including Today’s Golfer’s Ben Parsons, Garcia explained what happened.
He said, “I had some food in the players’ lounge, lasagne, but it didn’t sit well with me. I felt nauseous the whole front nine, and in the afternoon, I felt like I was going to throw up on nearly every hole.”
Garcia added, “I thought about quitting after nine holes, but I wanted to keep playing a bit more, hoping it would get better. Sadly, it didn’t. I love The Open and want to give myself every chance to play in it. I hope to keep playing well and get into the top 50 in the world so I won’t have to qualify in the future.”
Garcia’s hope of winning The Open is still alive, but it’s been tough. He’s finished second twice, in 2007 and 2014. This year marks the third time in four years that the 46-year-old hasn’t managed to qualify for the final Major of the season.