The head of R&A, Martin Slumberscriticized this Wednesday Super League, funded by Saudi Arabia, for this consideration is a money laundering that threatens the merit-based golf culture that has been cultivated over the centuries, and threatens to change the standard of the British Open to make it difficult for some players to enter the oldest tournament of golf.
“Professional golfers have the right to choose where they want to play and accept the prize money offered to them. I have no problem with that,” Slumbers said at his annual news conference before the Open. “But there is no free lunch,” he added.
He said the two LIV Golf events held just outside London and Portland were not in golf’s best long -term interest and were “completely money -driven”. The 54-hole no-cut event offered $ 25 million in prize money to 48 players. Many of them received a fixed start, some at 150 million dollars or more.
“We believe it undermines the merit -based culture and spirit of open competition that makes golf special,” Slumbers said.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan Suspends Players for Competing Without Authorization; some of them, such as Dustin Johnson and Sergio GarciaThey decided to give up their membership. The European tour fined participating players 100,000 pounds and banned them from participating in certain tournaments. Four players have appealed to a judge and been given a precautionary suspension allowing them to compete in the Scottish Open. USGA CEO Mike Whan said last month that a day may come when players participating in LIV Golf will have a hard time getting into the US Open.
On the R&A agenda is to review the standard
Slumbers said R&A has no intention of banning any player from competing. That could include Open champions whose exemptions end at age 60. “But what’s on our agenda is we’re going to review our criteria for exemption and qualification for the Open,” Slumbers said. “And while we do this every year, we really reserve the right to make any changes that our Open Championship Committee sees fit. Players need to get their place in the Open, and that’s central to the spirit and unique global its appeal. “.
The US Open and British Open did not leave any players suspended from their tours due to the “open” nature of their championships. Even if LIV Golf players are not included in the waivers, they can still test to qualify for the 36-hole qualifiers.
Augusta National has not yet said how the standard for the Masters could change. Master champions usually have a lifetime exemption, and five of them since 2010 – Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Garcia, Patrick Reed and Johnson – are now part of the Saudi -supported series.
All ‘majors’ are based on world rankings to determine who is exempt. Slumbers, Whan, Monahan and European Tour boss Keith Pelley are among the eight members of the Official World Golf Ranking Board. The board met on Tuesday and acknowledged receiving a request from LIV Golf to be part of the ranking system. At that time, most LIV Golf players were no longer in the top 50 in the world.
The start of the Super League and the players it continues to sign – none of them are in the top 15, although Norman has promised more big names to come – has caused a split in golf. Tiger Woods spoke out loudly against the players who came together, saying Tuesday that they had “turned away” from the PGA Tour.
Jack Nicklaus He doesn’t want to choose sides. “Greg Norman is a golf icon. Is a good player. We have been friends for a long time and, no matter what happens, he will continue to be friends, “said the ‘Golden Bear’.” Unfortunately, we don’t get along with what’s going on. “
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
