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There is no doubt that this is a significant week for LIV Golf, but the most significant development for the start-up may have occurred some 4,200 miles away from the proceedings at LIV Miami.
On Saturday morning, the golf world gave the Saudi-backed league the clearest indication that it will not in fact be banned from all major championships in 2023. Outlook.
the news is golf digest An interview with Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A — the governing body responsible for organizing Open Championships. Over the course of a lengthy interview with John Hagan, the Slumbers suggested that his organization would soon release guidance on LIV’s eligibility for the 151st British Open at Royal Liverpool, and that guidance was announced by LIV It is likely to pave the way for players to compete.
“We will publish in January or February on what we will do with LIV golfers,” Slumbers said. We are not going to betray 150 years of history and keep Open from opening.The name says it all.And it matters.”
The Slumbers, who haven’t shied away from their own harsh criticism of the new league, have fallen short of showing that LIV players gain. Automatic exemption to eventsas PGA and DP World Tour pros do year after year. Official World Golf Ranking, the system that controls automatic qualification to golf’s biggest events. Rather, as others have suggested, LIV players could be forced to compete in open qualifiers around the world in order to earn a spot on the field.
“What we do is make sure we have the right pathways and methods to qualify,” Slumbers said. “I am looking forward to seeing Cam Smith tee up around 9:40 a.m. on the first day of the Open next year. We need to make sure we stay true to our principle of having the best players in the world compete.”
We are not banning anyone.
For LIV, the Slumbers’ comments mark a big win at a crucial moment. For months, the league’s long-term viability seemed intimately tied to its ability to send players to major championships.The Slumbers set a precedent for LIV players to be able to compete This could allow them to compete in both of golf’s major ‘opens’ – the US Championship and the British Open. All that’s left is the PGA Championship and, of course, the Masters.
it’s over this week LIV ‘beta test’ season begins, has a ridiculous $50 million to get in the Miami season finisher. The league still faces some key issues at the end of its first year, many around its ability to form a viable business model. Still, gaining entry into the majors would go a long way in helping LIV convince potential business partners of his and, perhaps most importantly, investors in the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
The 151st Open Championship will be held at Royal Liverpool from 16-23 July 2023.