Hey golf fans! Big news from the world of golf. The organisers of the Masters and Open Championship have made it clear that they have no plans to give exemptions to LIV Golf players in 2024. LIV Golf recently tried to get recognition from the sport’s global rankings body, but unfortunately, their request was rejected. This caused some top players like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau to call for a special exemption category to be created for LIV Golf players so that they don’t miss out on qualifying for these prestigious tournaments. However, the chief executive of the R&A, Martin Slumbers, denied that any discussions were taking place regarding exemptions. He emphasized that the Open is meant to be open to everyone and that earning your place in the field through exemptions is an important part of the tournament.
On the other hand, the chairman of Augusta National, Fred Ridley, mentioned that while the criteria for the Masters is unlikely to change, they always keep an eye on it and make adjustments when necessary. He pointed out that the qualifications for the Masters have been changed multiple times in the past and they will continue to evaluate it. The Masters is an invitational tournament, while the Open has a stricter entry policy based on world ranking points and qualifying events.
It’s worth noting that the refusal to award ranking points for events on the LIV tour has caused some controversy. Former Open champion Cameron Smith believes that golf’s world rankings are becoming obsolete because of this. He also highlighted the case of Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, who failed to qualify for this year’s Open. Garcia had to play in a qualifying tournament because of his status as a LIV golfer, and unfortunately, he came up short.
So, there you have it, folks. The organisers of the Masters and Open Championship have made it clear that there will be no exemptions for LIV Golf players in 2024. While the Masters remains an invitational tournament with dynamic qualifications, the Open sticks to its strict entry policy based on world ranking points and qualifying events. The debate around LIV Golf and its impact on the sport’s rankings continues, with some players expressing concerns about the current system. We’ll have to wait and see if any changes are made in the future. Until then, let’s enjoy the excitement and competition that these prestigious tournaments bring!