‘Good News for the Game’: Golf World Reacts to Delightful News for LIV Golf Defectors

A huge setback for the PGA Tour! The Royal and Ancient Club (R&A) of St. Andrews officials have recently announced they won’t ban LIV Golf players from any of the future Open Championships. The R&A Chief Executive also expressed his willingness to work with Saudi Investors through his recent interview with Golf Digest. 

“We’re not banning anyone,” Martin Slumbers, the R&A CEO, said. “We are not going to betray 150 years of history and have the Open not be open.” 

According to Slumbers, they will release the official statement regarding their policy with LIV golfers in either January or February of 2023. “What we will do is ensure that there are appropriate pathways and ways to qualify,” he added.

Read more: Phil Mickelson Reveals How LIV Golf is Expanding the Sport to Multiple Countries With their Model

Furthermore, the CEO revealed that he was not against Saudi-backed companies investing in golf. “I note that Saudi Arabia wants to invest a lot of money in the game I love and care about,” Slumbers stated in the interview. “That’s a good thing.” 

Fans don’t think the new R&A statement would benefit the league players

The GD interview with Martin Slumbers was highly in favor of the Saudi league golfers. However, some golf fans believe it will do no good for the LIV players.

Even after merging with MENA Tour, the LIV Golf will have to wait for the OWGR officials to review the league and decide whether to grant them world ranking points or not. And if the players are not already exempt from qualifications, they need OWGR points to get qualified to play in any major tournaments.

Therefore, fans pointed out that R&A is not banning the LIV players since they can’t compete unless they already have an exemption or qualify through the regional qualifying competitions. 

On the contrary, some fans expressed their joy in not excluding LIV players from the major competition because of the pressure from any other Tours. 

LIV Golf players in the 2022 Open Championship

The Open Championship held its 150th edition of the competition at the Old Course in St. Andrews this year. Although the PGA and DP World Tours have banned LIV players from their tournaments, the four majors have chosen not to ban them in 2022. 

As a result, many LIV golfers were part of the Old Course field from July 14 to 17. The LIV rebels Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Abraham Ancer finished in the Top 15 at the 2022 Open. Interestingly, Cameron Smith, the 150th Open champion, joined the new league after he won the major. 

The Open officials have agreed not to ban LIV players from the major competition. However, they can’t get qualified to play in the event without the OWGR points. Do you think the league will soon get accreditation from the OWGR committee? 

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