EXCLUSIVE: LIV series rebels face expulsion from FOUR major golf competitions next year as civil sport war heats up over separatist competition backed by Saudi Arabia on the eve of the 150th Open Championship.
- Players joining the LIV Series, backed by Saudi Arabia, run the risk of being expelled from the majors
- It is understood that a suspension for deserters is a possibility that is being considered
- At this week’s 150th Open there will be 24 deserters included in the field
By Riath Al-samarrai and Derek Lawrenson
Published: 18:00, 13 July 2022 | Updated: 6:35 PM, July 13, 2022
Defectors of the fugitive tour backed by Saudi Arabia are facing a possible ban by the four majors next year as golf tries to change the cloud that has been planned over the 150th Open Championship, which starts Thursday.
On the eve of the first round in St Andrews, R&A executive director Martin Slumbers was withering from Greg Norman’s LIV series in his pre-tournament press conference, dismissing the launch as “totally driven by money “.
While Slumbers said banning LIV players “is not on our agenda,” with 24 included in the 156 field here and currently eligible for all majors, he revealed that his governing body “would review our exemptions. and qualification criteria for the Open “.
As Mail + revealed, one possibility under strong consideration within these criteria would be the exclusion of any player suspended from competing on one of the traditional golf circuits.
Stars like Bryson DeChambeau (pictured) are at risk of being kicked out of the top four tournaments in 2023 for deserting to the Saudi-backed LIV series, as revealed exclusively by Mail +
R&A chief Martin Slumbers criticized LIV defectors before the start of the 150th Open
On the back of the PGA Tour’s indefinite ban on those entering with LIV, including the big names Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed, it would be an overwhelming blow to the rebels, especially because four elders are expected to act in unison.
The feasibility of these PGA suspensions is currently being legally reviewed, which could damage the approach that is believed to have been explored by the majors, and the president of the official world golf ranking, Peter Dawson, also confirm this week that LIV has applied to be eligible for classification. points. Amidst all the political maneuvers in this saga, the absence of these ranking points remains a big piece in the picture of whether LIV players can play in future majors.
Read the full story in Mail + by clicking HERE.