TROON, Scotland – Departing R&A CEO Martin Slumbers prompt Wednesday that the group was unlikely to implement a direct pathway into The Open for the top-performing gamers on LIV Golf.
Talking at his closing Open as the pinnacle of the R&A earlier than he steps down later this 12 months, Slumbers stated that there stays ample alternatives for gamers on the Saudi-backed circuit who wish to play within the 12 months’s closing main.
This week at Royal Troon, there are 18 LIV gamers within the area – greater than some other main this 12 months, and 6 extra than simply final month on the U.S. Open.
That was Slumbers’ intention.
Final 12 months, he stated that the R&A would reexamine its qualification standards to make sure that the most effective gamers on this planet can compete in The Open. However reasonably than create computerized exemptions for LIV gamers, the R&A elevated the variety of spots obtainable for closing qualifiers (at the least 16 complete), used the pathway for the Asian Tour and selected tournaments that had been a part of the Open Qualifying Sequence that had been accessible to all.
“I believe we’ve acquired all the most effective gamers on this planet, and that’s what we wish to have – all the most effective gamers on this planet coming by,” Slumbers stated. “So I believe we’ve created these alternatives.”
Slumbers’ counterpart, the USGA’s Mike Whan, stated final month that the USGA will mull an exemption class for LIV gamers through the offseason. The 2025 Open qualification standards might be decided by Slumbers’ successor, Mark Darbon. However Slumbers stated the group will proceed to have a look at the ever-changing panorama and make sure the finest gamers have a tee time.
“Will that evolve within the coming years? I believe that is dependent upon how the sport evolves,” Slumbers stated. “However we are going to proceed to need the most effective gamers on this planet to have the ability to get into The Open in an acceptable method.”
