LIV Golf stars including Cam Smith, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson WILL be able to play in the 151st Open following an R&A decision
LIV Golf’s foremost stars will be able to play in the 151st Open following an R&A announcement Tuesday.
The likes of current holder Cam Smith and former champions, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson and Louis Oosthuizen – all of whom are on the Saudi-backed circuit – will be all invited to Royal Liverpool this summer.
Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson are among other LIV stars eligible.
In the same vein as the Masters and US Open, LIV Golf players are able to participate freely despite an ongoing dispute with the PGA Tour.
Reigning British Open champion Cam Smith will be able to participate in the 151st British Open
Phil Mickelson, who won the Open Championship back in 2013, is exempt to play this year
It is fair to say the decision is not a total surprise with the R&A already foreshadowing such a move 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.’
LIV star Dustin Johnson, who enjoyed a fantastic first year on the circuit, will also be involved
Bryson DeChambeau is another of LIV Golf’s top stars who will likely play at Royal Liverpool