LIV golf has been branded "entirely driven by money" and bad for the game by the head of the R&A.
And Martin Slumbers pledged to change qualification rules to make playing futures Opens more difficult for rebel players. He also said Saudi-backed LIV’s claim to be growing the game was “just not credible”.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have this week slammed the breakaway tour and supported the ban for two-time champion Greg Norman from the celebrations at the 150th Open this week. And R&A chief executive Slumbers said: “Professional golfers are entitled to choose where they want to play and to accept the prize money that is offered to them. I have absolutely no issue with that at all.
“But there is no such thing as a free lunch. I believe that the model we have seen at Centurion and Pumpkin Ridge is not in the best long-term interests of the sport as a whole and is entirely driven by money.
“We believe it undermines the merit-based culture and the spirit of open competition that makes golf so special. I would also like to say that in my opinion, the continued commentary that this is about growing the game is just not credible.
“And if anything is harming the perception of our sport which we are working so hard to improve. We believe the game needs to focus on increasing participation, achieving greater diversity and making sure golf is truly open to all rather than just this narrow debate involving a small number of players.
“As importantly, it detracts, from what Arnold Palmer said is the greatest sport mankind ever invented. Golf is far more than professional golf and we should all remember that.”
LIV has applied to the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) board to have rankings points for their futures event. Slumbers sits on the board with former R&A chief executive Peter Dawson, the chairman of OWGR..
Not having points will make it difficult to LIV players to qualify through world rankings and mini order of merits, especially those banned from the PGA Tour.
Slumbers added: “Looking ahead to the Open next year, we have been asked quite frequently about banning players. Let me be very clear, that is not on our agenda. But what is on our agenda is that we will review exemptions and qualifications criteria for the Open.”
Former Open winners Phil Mickelson and Louis Oosthuizen are in the field this week along with Majors winners Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
Bridgestone Golf on Tuesday night confirmed it is ending a sponsorship with DeChambeau over his LIV GOLF ties.
