The R&A has confirmed the schedule of events that will make up The Open Qualifying Series for 2023 and the exemption categories for The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool, which will be held from July 20-23live on Sky Sports
Two of LIV Golf’s newest signings have lost their expected exemptions into The Open, following a change to the criteria.
R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said in July that banning LIV players from The Open was “not on the agenda”, but did not rule out changing the championship’s entry criteria.
The majority of exemption categories have remained the same for this year’s contest, although the one for players from the most recent Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup – which applied in alternate years – has been removed.
That means LIV recruits Mito Pereira and Sebastian Munoz, who are among those who played in the Presidents Cup in 2022, who will have to find another way to qualify for the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool.
Reigning Open champion Cameron Smith and fellow LIV players Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Louis Oosthuizen, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters, Richard Bland, Joaquin Niemann and Talor Gooch remain eligible through various categories.
A total of 34 places are available through the Open Qualifying Series, consisting of 15 events across nine different countries, with tournaments on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour all included.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, executive director – championships at The R&A, said, “We have created an exciting schedule of events which takes in many regions around the world and provides the chance for golfers to earn a place in The Open at Royal Liverpool.
