LIV Golf star OUT of The Open after being disqualified during qualifying

LIV Golf's Sam Horsfield has seen his Open Championship hopes destroyed after being disqualified from the competition during a qualifying tournament on Tuesday.

Horsfield, who was born in England but spent most of his childhood in the United States, where he attended the University of Florida, was aiming to secure one of five qualifying spots at West Lancs Golf Club. However, his attempt to reach Royal Portrush ended abruptly - after just nine holes.

Horsfield, who is a member of the Majesticks team alongside Ryder Cup royalty Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson, carded a seven-over-par 43 on the front nine. It's not uncommon for players to withdraw from tournaments under such circumstances, with their chances of salvaging their qualification hopes over the remaining 27 holes extremely slim.

However, the RandA – the governing body that oversees The Open Championship – confirmed to Mirror Sports US that Horsfield failed to inform tournament officials of his withdrawal - therefore, resulting in his disqualification.

Horsfield was only one-over-par for the event and still in the running when he reached the seventh tee. But a disastrous streak of three consecutive double bogeys led him to cut short his participation.

READ MORE: Tiger Woods doubt cast, defending champion skips major and Jon Rahm licks his lips

READ MORE: Collin Morikawa doesn't hold back at Rocket Classic – 'Don't put me down like that'

The 28 year old joined LIV as a founding member in 2022. He currently ranks 37th in the breakaway league's standings this season, with his best finish of T7 achieved in Adelaide in February.

Horsfield was among 15 LIV members vying for a spot in the year's final major. Former world No.3 Paul Casey, Abraham Ancer and Branden Grace were all set to participate in one of the four 36-hole qualifiers across the UK, but pulled out before play began.

Anirban Lahiri, Caleb Surratt, and Jinichiro Kozuma are the LIV members in action at Burnham and Berrow on the southwest coast of England, while Poulter, Graeme McDowell, and David Puig are among the stars in action at Royal Cinque Ports in the southeast, where LIV reserve player Luis Masaveu is also in the running.

Lucas Herbert, Harold Varner III and Andy Ogletree are in contention at West Lancs, while Westwood and Adrian Meronk are battling it out north of the border at Dundonald Links on Scotland's Ayrshire coast.

The RandA confirmed that 30 players withdrew prior to the start of play on Monday, including 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett. He was scheduled to play at West Lancs, but will instead tee off at the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour, which kicks off on Thursday.

Former LIV members Eugenio Chacarra and Hennie du Plessis were slated to play at Burnham and Berrow, but they were among those who withdrew. Alex Noren, a member of Europe's triumphant 2018 Ryder Cup team in Paris, also pulled out ahead of play.

The Swede was due to compete at Dundonald Links.