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Some of the more notable LIV golfers exempt
into the July 20-23 tournament include past Open champions Phil
Mickelson, Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Louis Oosthuizen of South
Africa and reigning winner Cameron Smith of Australia.
Also available to participate are Dustin Johnson and Bryson
DeChambeau -- who finished in the top at 10 at St. Andrews last
year -- as well as former major winners Brooks Koepka and
Patrick Reed, among others.
"We have created an exciting schedule of events which takes in
many regions around the world and provides the chance for
golfers to earn a place in the Open at Royal Liverpool," said
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, executive director of champions at the
R&A.
"We are grateful to our colleagues at the professional tours for
their support and look forward to seeing who emerges from each
event to book a sought-after place in the Championship this
year."
Tuesday's news is on par with what R&A chief Martin Slumbers
said in July. He said that banning LIV players was "not on our
agenda."
He doubled down on that message in October.
"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.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Cam Smith tee-up around 9:40 a.m.
on the first day of the Open next year. The Open needs to set
itself aside from what's going in terms of disagreements and
make sure we stay true to our principle, which is to have the
best players in the world competing."
--Field Level Media
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