Garcia books Open place despite losing play-off

There is still no word on whether Tiger Woods will be in next month's Open or not, but Sergio Garcia is now a certain starter at Sandwich.

Even though the former world number two lost a five-hole play-off in Germany last night, his cheque as runner-up for almost £194,000 (€218,678) earned him a place.

Garcia was a doubt after falling out of golf's top 50 and then retiring from a qualifying event with an infected fingernail.

But he makes it along with BMW International winner and fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal off a mini-money list running on the European Tour for the past month.

"Making The Open was definitely one of the goals. I wanted to win if I could, but unfortunately Pablo was just a little bit better," said Garcia, still chasing his first victory since November 2008.

"Overall I am pretty satisfied. I am sure we can learn some good things from this and move forward."

The 31-year-old has not missed a major since the 1999 Open at Carnoustie.

Joint seventh in the US Open eight days ago - he came through a qualifying play-off to keep his run going - Garcia was two ahead with seven to play in Munich after three birdies and then two eagles in the previous six holes.

But he bogeyed four of the next five before making another birdie at the par-five last to catch Larrazabal.

The play-off started on the same hole and they both birdied it twice, then had pars at two par threes before Garcia three-putted when they returned to the 18th.

"I think the play-off was awesome," Garcia added. "We hit good shot after good shot."

It is only three weeks ago that Larrazabal lost a six-hole play-off in a qualifier for The Open, so to win a second Tour title and make it to Royal St George's after all meant a double celebration for the 28-year-old.

But it was also tinged with sadness. The 2008 French Open champion lost his grandfather - "the captain of the family" - last week and dedicated the win to him.

"Beating one of my heroes when I was growing up is just a dream - very emotional," he said.

Garcia's most famous play-off, of course, was back at Carnoustie four years ago.

He led The Open by one with one to play, but bogeyed and lost to Irish golfer Padraig Harrington.

The US Open was his 16th top-10 finish in Majors, but he has yet to win one and has had two other second places; to Woods and then Harrington again in the US PGA Championship.