Players who have “embraced” LIV Golf, the Arab Super League, will be able to regularly play the 150th edition of The Open, the fourth men’s Major of 2022 scheduled from 14 to 17 July in Scotland.
The Open, statements
“The Open is the most original golf tournament and since 1860, the year of the first edition, its opening has been fundamental for reasons of ethics and charm.
Golfers who are exempt or who have earned the opportunity to compete, will be regularly on the pitch at the Old Course in Saint Andrews ” These are the statements of Martin Slumbers, CEO of R&A. The Open Championship, or simply The Open (often referred to as the British Open outside the United Kingdom), is one of the most important golfing competitions in the world, as well as the oldest of the four major tournaments in existence: the first edition was disputed in 1860.
The only major to be played outside the United States, the Open Championship is held annually in July on English, Scottish or Northern Irish links fields and is administered by R&A, which is based in St. Andrews. The tournament was held for the first time in October 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club on the west coast of Scotland, with eight players competing in just one day over a distance of 36 holes.
The competition was born as an attempt to identify the new golf champion following the death of Allan Robertson, considered the best player of his time and who died in 1859; the first winner was Willie Park Sr., who beat Tom Morris Sr.
by two hits. The following year the tournament became open to non-professional players as well. From 1871 the Open was not organized by the Prestwick Golf Club alone, but the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers of Muirfiled were added; the Royal and Ancient Golf Club became the only tournament organizer since 1920.
In 1892 the competition was extended to 72 holes, while two years later the first edition of an Open outside of Scotland was held at Royal St George’s Golf Club, England; in 1898 the cut was introduced after two laps of the field.
The tournament has always been played since 1860 except for four occasions: in 1871, when an agreement was not reached on the new prize for the champion; between 1915 and 1919 due to the First World War, between 1939 and 1946 due to the Second World War and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it counts 149 editions by 2021.
