R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers has strongly suggested that The Open Championship will not ban LIV golfers from competing, stating that he is looking forward to seeing Cam Smith defending his title at next year's event.
Smith won the 150th Open in July, his first Major victory, before making the jump to the controversial Saudi-backed LIV in August. And Slumbers is keen to have "the best players in the world competing" at next year's Open.
In an interview with Golf Digest, he said: "We'll go public in January/February with what we are going to do with regard to LIV golfers. But if you want a guide, go back to what I said in July.
