(Reuters) – Golfers who have joined the Saudi-backed breakaway LIV Golf Invitational Series will be allowed to play at the Open next month, organisers The R&A said on Wednesday.
The PGA Tour has already suspended members who signed up to play with LIV Golf and said any others who make the jump will face the same fate.
However, they were able to play at the U.S. Open earlier this month. The Open will be played at St Andrews from July 14-17.
“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,” Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said in a statement.
“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.”
Several top golfers such as six-times major champion Phil Mickelson, former world number one Dustin Johnson and former U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau joined LIV Golf which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
