R&A to reassess qualifications and exemptions criteria for The Open
From ESPN, by Mark Schlabach:
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said there is "no such thing as a free lunch" in golf and that he believes LIV Golf is "harming the perception of the sport."...
"I firmly believe that the existing golf ecosystem has successfully provided stable pathways for golfers to enter the sport and develop and realize their full potential," Slumbers said. "Professional golfers are entitled to choose where they want to play and to accept the prize money that's offered to them. I have absolutely no issue with that at all. But there is no such thing as a free lunch." ...
Slumbers said LIV players were allowed to compete in The Open this year because they had already met qualifying criteria or had been awarded exemptions. He said the R&A would reassess the qualifying standards before the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool in England. Read more
From Golf Monthly, by Elliott Heath:
The R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers has categorically ruled out banning LIV Golf players from future Opens but hinted that the criteria and qualification process for next year's Championship may be changed.
Slumbers opened his press conference at St Andrews with a strong statement in opposition to LIV Golf, saying it is "not in the best interests of the sport" while maintaining that "we will hold totally true to The Open being open to anybody."
"Looking ahead to The Open next year, we have been asked quite frequently about banning players," he said. "Let me be very clear. That's not on our agenda. But what is on our agenda is that we will review our exemptions and qualifications criteria for The Open. Read more
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