In a wide-ranging interview with Golf Digest (opens in new tab), Chief Executive of The R&A, Martin Slumbers, revealed that they will “go public in January/February” with what they are “going to do with regard to LIV golfers.”
Back in July, The R&A confirmed to Golf Monthly that LIV players will not be banned from future Open Championships and now, in the interview with Golf Digest, Slumbers has reiterated that point, stating: “We’re not banning anyone. We are not going to betray 150 years of history and have the Open not be open.”
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He went on to add: “The name says it all. And that’s important. What we will do is ensure that there are appropriate pathways and ways to qualify. I’m looking forward to seeing Cam Smith tee-up around 9:40 a.m. on the first day of the Open next year.
“The Open needs to set itself aside from what’s going in terms of disagreements and make sure we stay true to our principle, which is to have the best players in the world competing.”
On the eve of The 150th Open Championship, Slumbers was asked questions about the Saudi-backed series, with the Chief Executive having no issue with professionals choosing where they play and in accepting prize money that’s offered to them. However, he expressed concerns about the LIV Golf model and the pathways towards it for players.
Once again, Slumbers has stood by his word from back in July, as he claimed that: “I worry about some of the discussions going on at the moment. “I’m not going to go into detail though, it’s not really my responsibility, but I worry about pathways being eroded. And I worry about the loss of values.
“Why do 99 percent of people play golf? Because they feel it is good for them. They enjoy being with their friends. They enjoy the integrity golf requires. Not many play because they might win a large check. I certainly don’t.”
Slumbers speaks on the eve of The 150th Open Championship
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Another point raised was the omission of Greg Norman from The 150th Open Championship, something that…
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