Open Championship 2022: LIV Golf Players Will Be In Field For Final Major

The R&A is following the USGA’s lead when it comes to players who are part of the LIV Golf Invitational Series. Golfers who have been suspended by the PGA Tour for joining the new Saudi-backed league will still be eligible to compete in the 2022 Open Championship.

The top LIV Golf players will be in the field for the year’s final major, just as they played in the 2022 U.S. Open last week. Some of the world’s best golfers participated in the first LIV Golf event and the U.S. Open in back-to-back weeks.

The 2022 Open Championship is scheduled for July 14-17 at St. Andrews.

"The Open is golf's original championship and since it was first played in 1860, openness has been fundamental to its ethos and unique appeal," R&A CEO Martin Slumbers said in a statement. "Players who are exempt or have earned a place through qualifying for The 150th Open in accordance with the entry terms and conditions will be able to compete in the Championship at St. Andrews.

"We are focused on staging a world class championship in July and celebrating this truly historic occasion for golf. We will invest the proceeds of The Open, as we always do, for the benefit of golf which reflects our purpose to ensure that the sport is thriving 50 years from now."

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, has made the following statement on The 150th Open _
— The Open (@TheOpen) June 22, 2022

None of the 17 players who were suspended from the PGA Tour threatened to win the U.S. Open. Dustin Johnson had the best performance of any LIV Golf player, tying for 24th place at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Richard Bland, who tied for 17th place at LIV Golf’s inaugural event, tied for 43rd place in the U.S. Open. Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen, Kevin Na, Talor Gooch and Sergio Garcia were among the 10 LIV Golf players who missed the cut at the last major.

Oosthuizen won the Open Championship at St. Andrews in 2010. Mickelson won the Open Championship in 2013.

Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau all finished between 49th and 56th place in the U.S. Open. The PGA Tour stars have six majors championships between them and are expected to play in the next LIV Golf event on June 30.

Reigning Open Championship winner Collin Morikawa has stated that he plans to stay with the PGA Tour and won’t join LIV Golf.