Sergio withdraws from Open qualifier

Sergio Garcia’s streak of playing in 47 consecutive majors is in jeopardy and he’s running out of ways to qualify. Garcia had played four holes before he withdrew from Monday’s 36-hole qualifying event for the British Open at the Gleneagles Country Club in Texas due to an infected fingernail. Whoops, I just broke a nail typing that. No, seriously. It’s a painful injury if you’re trying to grip a club, especially in fierce winds and pouring rain.

“Unfortunately had to wd from qualifier this morning because of an infected finger nail in my left hand,” Garcia wrote on his Twitter. “Couldn’t hold the club comfortably.”

Sergio has played in every Open Championship since 1998, with his best-finish of second in 2007. But after falling in the world rankings, he’s yet to qualify for this summer’s edition in Sandwich, England. While he still has several avenues to qualify, time is running out. The top-50 players as of next Monday will receive a spot, but to rise from his current position at No. 73, he’ll likely have to win this week’s Byron Nelson Championship, which he’s entered.

If his finger feels better, of course.

“Hopefully I’ll be fine for Thursday at the Nelson,” he said via Twitter. “Sorry guys!”

Garcia also hasn’t qualified for next month’s US Open.

(AP Photo/Star-Telegram, Ron T. Ennis)