[ad_1]
Australia’s Cameron Smith is free to defend his Open Championship title after organisers finalised the record of exemptions.
The Royal & Historic Golf Membership (R&A) has introduced gamers who’re aligned with LIV Golf will likely be eligible to compete at Royal Liverpool so long as they meet the standards for an exemption.
Smith’s victory on the 2022 Open at St Andrews earned him an exemption by means of till his sixtieth birthday.
READ MORE: Tubby’s grim name on Agar amid disastrous tour
READ MORE: ‘Wasted’ Dragon has no reminiscence of teammate struggle
READ MORE: Greater than 30 international locations in Olympics stand-off
The 29-year-old’s subsequent determination to signal with Greg Norman’s LIV Golf noticed him banned from the PGA Tour, nevertheless the 4 main tournaments are run independently and make their very own selections on eligibility.
“We have now created an thrilling schedule of occasions which takes in lots of areas around the globe and offers the prospect for golfers to earn a spot within the Open at Royal Liverpool,” stated Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, government director of championships on the R&A.
“We’re grateful to our colleagues on the skilled excursions for his or her assist and stay up for seeing who emerges from every occasion to guide a sought-after place within the Championship this yr.”
Different former champions who’ve signed with LIV Golf can even be capable to play at Royal Liverpool, together with Phil Mickelson and Louis Oosthuizen.
Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau have additionally earned a spot by advantage of their top-10 finishes in 2022.
In October, R&A boss Martin Slumbers indicated that the Open would distance itself from the acrimony that has cut up the sport, with the R&A remaining impartial.
“We’re not going to betray 150 years of historical past and have the Open not be open,” he stated.
“The identify says all of it. And that is vital. What we’ll do is make sure that there are applicable pathways and methods to qualify.
“The Open must set itself other than what is going on by way of disagreements and ensure we keep true to our precept, which is to have one of the best gamers on the planet competing.”
For a day by day dose of one of the best of the breaking information and unique content material from Vast World of Sports activities, subscribe to our e-newsletter by clicking right here!
LIV Golf: The brand new groups and gamers confirmed for golf’s ‘different’ tour
[ad_2]