LIV Invitational Series: The R&A has announced that LIV series golfers will be allowed to compete in next month’s 150th Open.
The decision to allow those who have already qualified or are exempt means that high-profile players such as Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Phil Mickelson – a former Open champion – will be able to compete in the year’s final major at St Andrews.
The R&A’s decision is similar to that of the USGA, which allowed qualified LIV golfers to compete in last week’s US Open at Brookline.
“The Open is golf’s original championship, and since it was first played in 1860, openness has been fundamental to its ethos and unique appeal,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A.
“Players who are exempt or have earned a place through qualifying for The 150th Open in accordance with the entry terms and conditions will be able to compete in the Championship at St Andrew’s. We are focused on staging a world-class championship in July and celebrating this truly historic occasion for golf.
“We will invest the proceeds of The Open, as we always do, for the benefit of golf which reflects our purpose to ensure that the sport is thriving 50 years from now.”
The PGA Tour will increase cash prizes as part of a revamp | Koepka will join LIV
With Brooks Koepka expected to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational series, the PGA Tour is laying out plans to increase purses at several marquee events and revamp its schedule.
According to Sky Sports News, the four-time major winner, who has removed all PGA Tour references from his social media profiles, will compete in the second event in Portland next week.
The 32-year-old has withdrawn from Thursday’s PGA Tour event, the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, to become the latest big name to join the contentious series, following Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Phil Mickelson.
“To state for the record, once again, you all are absolutely wrong. I’ve said it since February at Riviera that I’m here to stay on the @PGATOUR and nothing has changed,” he said on Twitter.
