Graeme McDowell to be joined by surprise name from LIV Golf in Final Qualifying for The Open

LIV Golf recruit Ian Poulter has confirmed he'll try and earn his first major championship start in three years.

Poulter has not played in one of golf's big four since the landmark 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022. 

Back then, the golf wars had just broken out and Poulter appeared to be jeered when he struck his first tee shot at the home of golf.

Poulter denied this was the case and later told reporters they could 'write what you like', adding: "I actually thought I had a great reception."

The Englishman made the switch to the PIF-backed league a few months prior alongside a number of ageing European Ryder Cup stars and major champions such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. 

Poulter, now 49 years old, has tumbled down the world rankings since his reported $20/30m move to LIV and decided against heading to qualifiers to get into golf's oldest major and the US Open. 

Save for a few exemptions, only the top 50 players in the OWGR earn invites to The Masters. The PGA Championship offers invites, too, and the top 100 ranked players also get tee times. 

The Postman looks like he'll be in the field for Final Qualifying for The Open in a few weeks' time at Royal Cinque Ports. 

Poulter told ITV in an interview at Royal Ascot this week he has already played a practice round at the Kent course.

Lee Westwood, who was sitting next to Poulter, did reveal if he was in the field or not. 

It will be the first time Poulter has played in the 36-hole qualifier since his LIV switch. 

As many as 16 spots for The Open will be up for grabs at Final Qualifying, which takes place on 1 July at Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, West Lancashire and Royal Cinque Ports. 

Regional Qualifying is being held on 23 June at 15 different venues. 

Fellow LIV recruit and former US Open champion Graeme McDowell previously revealed his aspirations to qualify for The Open given it is being played at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. 

In February, Royal Portrush named holes after McDowell and former Open champion Darren Clarke. 

McDowell and Poulter face lengthy and tiresome journeys before Final Qualifying takes place. 

The breakaway tour are in Dallas the week prior. 

"Maybe not the best prep in the world coming coming from Dallas to London," McDowell previously said. 

"But I'll be pretty fired up."

Sergio Garcia faces anxious wait for Open spot

Sergio Garcia is also hoping he'll be able to secure his place at The Open. 

Earlier in the year, the R&A extended an olive branch to the breakaway by announcing the leading LIV player not otherwise exempt would be invited to The Open. 

Garcia is currently fourth in LIV's individual standings behind Joaquin Niemann, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. 

That means the Spaniard possesses the golden ticket but all that could change. 

He'll battle it out with Lucas Herbert and Sebastian Munoz for the final place.

Should he come up short, Garcia is likely to tee it up in Final Qualifying alongside Poulter and McDowell.

Should Garcia not make it to The Open, it would mean he has played in just two majors this year.

Garcia is allowed to play The Masters every year as he is a former champion and he was invited to play the PGA Championship. 

But he did not qualify for last week's US Open at Oakmont for the first time in 25 years.