Royal Portrush and David Duval’s Notable History
In Northern Ireland, Royal Portrush last hosted the British Open when David Duval famously had a tough time on the 7th hole, recording a 14 and finishing with a 91 in his opening round. Fast forward to 2022, Duval returned to the Open at St. Andrews but shot an 82—only besting Mark Calcavecchia, who was also there as a former champion. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club holds a deep respect for its traditions.
Exemptions for Past Champions
Although Duval is not competing this week, he could have participated, as past champions are exempt until age 60 through 2023. The R&A has adjusted the exemption age to 55 starting this year, but this only affects champions from 2024 and onward.
Veteran Players Stepping Up
Justin Leonard, at 53, will be playing, marking 17 years since his last PGA Tour win. Meanwhile, Darren Clarke, who hasn’t participated in a regular PGA Tour event since 2016, is also in the lineup at age 56.
LIV Golf’s Impact on Participation
However, Talor Gooch is absent due to the lack of Official World Golf Ranking points for his four LIV Golf individual victories. The R&A has a single exemption for LIV players, with the rest allocated for amateurs and those on other professional tours.
Controversial Exemptions for LIV Players
This year, Sergio Garcia was the only LIV golfer granted an exemption, although he quickly complained about his situation. To open the door for more LIV players, the R&A gave spots to the top finishers from an International Series event in Macau, conveniently scheduled after a LIV event in Singapore. Patrick Reed secured a spot by finishing second in Macau, while fellow LIV players Jason Kokrak and Carlos Ortiz also qualified from the same event.
The R&A’s Position on LIV Golf
The R&A’s decision to include players from Macau seems like a tactical move to accommodate LIV golfers. Critics note that the competition there was weak, making the entry for LIV players appear less than merit-based. This raises questions about competitive integrity in golf as industry leaders navigate their positions against LIV Golf.
Future of Turnberry and LIV’s Influence
Mark Darbon, the R&A’s new chief executive, faces scrutiny over the future of Turnberry, a course owned by Donald Trump. Following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the R&A vowed to avoid holding events there. As Darbon’s stance appears to soften, the ongoing challenges posed by LIV Golf signify a struggle for power rather than a commitment to integrity in the sport.
