Following bans from the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, major championships have been a safe haven for LIV Golf players. However, there has been recent talk whether they will follow suit and prohibit members of the breakaway tour from competing in golf's most coveted tournaments.
Yesterday, LIV Golf members received a massive boost in this regard as R&A Chief, Martin Slumbers, stated firmly that they will be allowed to take part in the Open Championship.
"We’ll go public in January/February with what we are going to do with regard to LIV golfers," Slumbers told Golf Digest. "But if you want a guide, go back to what I said in July.
We’re not banning anyone. We are not going to betray 150 years of history and have The Open not be open. The name says it all. And that’s important. What we will do is ensure that there are appropriate pathways and ways to qualify.
Huge Boost For Cam Smith And LIV Golf
1 August 2021; LIV Golf ; Cam Smith of Australia plays his tee shot on the fifth hole during round 4 of the men's individual stroke play at the Kasumigaseki Country Club during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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Players must first qualify for the majors, but for the likes of Cam Smith, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson, who all have exemptions, it is a positive step forward for them.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Cam Smith tee-up around 9.40am on the first day of The Open next year," continued Slumbers.
“The Open needs to set itself aside from what’s going on in terms of disagreements and make sure we stay true to our principle, which is to have the best players in the world competing.”
SEE ALSO: LIV Golf : Rory McIlroy Speaks Passionately Of Poulter And Westwood Ryder Cup Betrayal
