Four weeks ahead of the staging of The 150th Open Championship, the R&A announced that it will not restrict any players who have previously earned spots from competing at St. Andrews. The decision allows golfers who participated in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational event last month outside London or those who play in next week’s LIV event in Portland, Ore., to still play in the final men’s major championship of 2022 if exempt or they’ve qualified, even if those players have been or will be suspended from playing PGA Tour events.
“The Open is golf’s original championship and since it was first played in 1860, openness has been fundamental to its ethos and unique appeal,” R&A CEO Martin Slumbers said in a statement released on Wednesday.
“Players who are exempt or have earned a place through qualifying for The 150th Open in accordance with the entry terms and conditions will be able to compete in the Championship at St Andrews. We are focused on staging a world class championship in July and celebrating this truly historic occasion for golf. We will invest the proceeds of The Open, as we always do, for the benefit of golf which reflects our purpose to ensure that the sport is thriving 50 years from now.”