Aussie star Cameron Smith WILL be able to defend his British Open crown as organisers confirm LIV Golf defectors can compete in the iconic tournament
- Cameron Smith will play in British Open
- LIV players given green light for majors
- Smith, 29, won at St Andrews last July
Cameron Smith has been given the green light to defend his British Open title after tournament organisers confirmed defectors to LIV Golf will be able to compete at St Andrews.
Smith, 29, became the first Australian in almost 30 years to take home the claret jug last July, and it was feared he may not feature in Scotland this year after jumping ship a month later for a reported $140million.
But Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, executive director of champions at the R&A, stated the likes of Smith and fellow LIV players including Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed will feature at Royal Liverpool.
The confirmation from Cole-Hamilton backs up previous comments from R&A chief Martin Slumbers, who said banning LIV players was ‘not on our agenda.’
It comes as former World No.1 Jason Day admitted it will be ‘awkward’ to run in to some LIV players at the majors – but personally he is looking forward to catching up with fellow Queenslander Smith.
Cameron Smith has been given the green light to defend his British Open title after tournament organisers confirmed defectors to LIV Golf will be able to compete at St Andrews
Fellow Aussie Jason Day admitted it will be ‘awkward’ to run in to some LIV players at the majors this year
‘I think for some of the guys that voiced their opinions about LIV, it will probably be a little bit more awkward in regards to that,’ he said.
‘Actually, I miss the guys, I miss the guys that left. In regards to some of those guys like Phil (Mickelson) and Dustin (Johnson), Cammy (Smith) and all those guys, it’s kind of sad that they left.
‘But I’m OK with them coming back.
‘I think the majors should have the best players in the world and I think those guys deserve the right to go in and play the major championships.
‘Will it be awkward for some? Yes. For me it won’t be because I’ll be catching up with some mates, which is going to be great and I’m hoping that I get to see them.’
The 151st edition of the Open will be staged at Royal Liverpool from July 20-23.
Players on the LIV tour will also be able to play in the Masters at Augusta come April 6 – but PGA events remain banned.