The Round Table: the Open remains open but the others are waiting

Each week we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.

Last week, R&A CEO Martin Slumbers indicated that the Open Championship would not ban any players based on where they play. That’s obviously good news for defending champion Cameron Smith and other LIV Golfers who are exempt based on past major championships. And for now, it leaves the door open for other LIV Golfers to qualify as best they can, even though it won’t be easy to accumulate world ranking points. How do you feel about the R&A decision, and do you think the other Major championships will follow the R&A’s lead?

Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): If they’re past champions of the major in question, then yes, they should be allowed to play, and be exempt from qualifying.  Otherwise, they should have to qualify if they don’t have sufficient OWGR points to be automatically exempt. Simple as that, in my book.  But I wouldn’t apply those rules to non-major PGA Tour events.  The LIV players left and knew the consequences as they walked out the door.

Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (@craigloughry): I think LIV Golf players should be permitted to play in the Majors, so I like the R&A’s response (even though the PGA Tour might not). To me, those are two separate issues unrelated. The Majors existed well prior to the PGA Tour’s existence (1968). Last I checked, the majority of players want to win those Majors (history, legacy, etc.). I think the US Open has it right and will follow suit, the most democratic way to decide who’s playing in the field each year…based on World Rankings, exemptions and a large OPEN qualifying process. I don’t think Augusta National will move from their process either, or the PGA of America. As stated, it will be hard for LIV players to earn/receive world ranking points to keep their eligibility for these Majors going forward. And that may weaken the fields of some of those future Majors.

Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: They made that decision by taking the ‘high’ road. Currently, the LIV players do not earn World Ranking Points so, over time, possibly in a few years none of them will have enough to qualify and eventually the Past Champions will lose their status too. Rather than add fuel to the fire they have taken the option of waiting.  Most people are of the opinion the LIV Tour is destined for a brief life so why fight an unnecessary battle? The others should do the same thing.

TJ Rule, Golf Away Tours (@GolfAwayTJ): Well, it’s not surprising really, since they are an Open, so they can’t really restrict people from trying to qualify.  It will just be tougher for some to qualify given the lack of World Ranking points that they are currently getting at LIV.  But it would be a shame to not have the defending champ at Royal Liverpool, in my opinion.  As for the other majors, I would guess they will follow suit.

Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine (@FairwaysMag): Great decision by the R&A and really the only plausible one they could make. Their tournament is all about the best in the world vying for the title “Champion Golfer of the Year”. The other majors should also position themselves above the fray and I think the U.S. Open will. I’m less confident about the Masters and PGA Championship. Augusta National is proudly independent and the PGA of America is full of people with longstanding connections to the PGA Tour and against LIV Golf.

Putting aside disruption and lawsuits for now, what’s the most intriguing storyline in golf right now?

Deeks: To me, the obscene amount of money that professional golfers are making.  Our world is truly going haywire.

Loughry: Right now, the biggest story in golf other than off course issues is Rory re-taking #1 in the world. He really is playing some fine golf the last eight months. Maybe a Major in his near future? Hard to believe he’s without one for the last nine years!

Schurman: Once the Champions Tour completes its schedule, the most exciting thing will be breathing. We can finally stop to take a breath and think for a while. With any luck, 2023 should see some form of normalcy.

Rule: It’s hard to find anything that initiates conversation like LIV vs the world at this point in time, but a story that is a bit under the radar but pretty incredible is the fact that a 19-year-old has risen to No 1 in the world in the ladies’ game.  Atthaya Thitikul is still in her rookie year on the LPGA and has risen to No 1 in the world, an incredible achievement.

Mumford: I’m keenly interested in the concept of team golf. It’s obviously a huge draw for Ryder Cups and I have to admit that the LIV Golf version is also compelling. While the shotgun starts make following individual play difficult, the team portion was fun and easy to follow. The teams generated way more buzz than any individual golfer not named DJ and moving forward, the idea that teams could be franchised, and players could be traded, adds yet another new element. The team money is also quite significant (winners of the LIV final each received $4 million) and could be a major factor in attracting new players and adjusting team rosters. I think the off-season is going to be very interesting.

Some golf fans love to watch golf on TV regardless of which tournament is on, who’s playing or what’s at stake. The Butterfield Bermuda Championship last weekend was a perfect example – a second tier event with a no-name field. But others want more for their time and need elite players, an identifiable golf course, history, large purses etc. What drives your viewing preferences?

Deeks: I watch golf on three levels.  I’ll sometimes have Golf Channel on, simply as audio-visual wallpaper if I’m on the couch on my computer, and I don’t really have any interest in knowing what’s happening.  Otherwise, I watch the majors and pay attention, especially The Masters and the Open Championship.  And I’ll watch any LPGA tournament if Brooke Henderson is in contention.

Loughry: If I can answer in one word because they have it all is: MAJORS. That’s when I park my time to really invest watching. They’re generally played on magnificent golf courses and have the best fields of the year. Although not a major, I will also watch the Players Championship for the same reasons. The only other reasons I watch is if a Canadian is in contention or if it’s a DP World Tour event. They fit my schedule (early morning broadcasts), so I’ll catch an hour or so of coverage to start my day. But I couldn’t tell you when or where their next event is.

Schurman: I’m easy to please. I watch everything if it suits me. My big attractions are the five Majors. Bermuda got my attention because I used to take a foursome from our Club to play in the Good Will Invitational so, I’ve played Port Royal many times. It is one of my favourite courses.

Rule: I don’t tend to watch as much golf as I used to, perhaps that’s down to having a toddler at home that takes up more of my time on the weekends!  But I don’t miss the majors, first and foremost.  Beyond that, I’ll watch the RBC Canadian Open religiously, and like to watch tournaments on courses that I’ve played before.  So the Bermuda tournament did interest me for that reason.  Of course, the field does matter too, and if there are big names in the hunt on Sunday – or a Canadian – then I’ll tune in.

Mumford: During the winter months, I generally tune in Friday afternoons to see who makes the cut and then again on Sunday afternoons to watch the finish of just about any PGA Tour or LPGA event. I make an exception for the Match Play and the Players Championship where I watch as much as I can. After the Masters, my viewing is limited to both the men’s and women’s majors, the Canadian Opens and the team events. I usually schedule housework, yard work or dental work during the FedEx Cup final.