The Royal & Ancient Golf Club has confirmed that players signed up to the LIV Golf Series will be invited to compete at The Open next month.
While the PGA Tour has issued bans to the 17 players who switched over to the controversial series and played in the inaugural event earlier this month, organisers at last week’s US Open did not follow their example.
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And in a statement released on Wednesday morning, the R&A said exempt players and those who have qualified will be able to compete.
“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.
“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 Andrews.
"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 sport’s civil war has been rambling on for weeks, with many of the PGA Tour’s biggest names defecting to the Saudi Arabian-backed series. Just this week it has been reported that American Brooks Koepka is the latest name to split with the PGA to join the LIV series alongside Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood among others.
The Open takes place between 14 and 17 July.
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