LIV Golf members allowed to play 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews, R&A proclaims

Gamers concerned within the LIV Golf Invitational Collection can be allowed to compete on the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews subsequent month, the R&A introduced Wednesday.

The choice follows the USGA permitting gamers who’ve joined the LIV Golf Collection, which is financially backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund, to play at this previous weekend’s U.S. Open. England’s Matt Fitzpatrick gained the main at The Nation Membership.

4-time main champion Brooks Koepka became the latest player to make the switch to LIV Golf, a supply confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday, becoming a member of others resembling Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.

“The Open is golf’s unique championship and because it was first performed in 1860, openness has been basic to its ethos and distinctive attraction,” R&A CEO Martin Slumbers stated in an announcement. “Gamers who’re exempt or have earned a spot by way of qualifying for The 150th Open in accordance with the entry phrases and situations will have the ability to compete within the Championship at St. Andrews. We’re centered on staging a world class championship in July and celebrating this really historic event for golf. We’ll make investments the proceeds of The Open, as we all the time do, for the advantage of golf which displays our goal to make sure that the game is flourishing 50 years from now.”

The Open begins July 14.

LIV Golf hosted its first occasion in St. Albans, on the outskirts of London, earlier this month, with former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel profitable the match.

Sources instructed ESPN on Tuesday that the PGA Tour has plans to respond to the direct threat of LIV Golf, which has now signed eight of the highest 50 gamers, introducing a revamped schedule that may embrace elevated purses value a minimum of $20 million at eight current marquee occasions. The tour’s gamers advisory committee and board have but to approve the modifications.

PGA Tour members had been instructed of the plans in a gathering on the Vacationers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, on Tuesday.

Reigning Open champion Collin Morikawa repeated his assertion Tuesday that he is not going to be part of LIV Golf.

“To state for the file, as soon as once more, you all are completely fallacious. I’ve stated it since February at Riviera that I am right here to remain on the @PGATOUR and nothing has modified. Now should you’ll excuse me, I’ve received some cereal to pour in my milk,” Morikawa tweeted.