Report: The Open to create LIV Golf pathway

The R&A is set to follow in the USGA’s footsteps to offer LIV golfers a direct way into The Open, according to a report

What a start to life at the helm of LIV Golf it’s been for Scott O’Neil.

He only took over from Greg Norman as CEO and commissioner in January and already he has overseen the league’s first major broadcasting deal with TV networks on both sides of the Atlantic, while the USGA announced a direct pathway for LIV’s golfers into the US Open.

Now, it seems, The Open is to follow suit.

According to a report from the Telegraph‘s James Corrigan, the R&A will create a way into golf’s oldest major for this year’s 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. Though, Corrigan notes, both the governing body and LIV Golf declined to comment.

While the R&A has always been neutral in the so-called civil war that has divided the top level of men’s golf in recent years, it would be quite the shift from the body, who banned Norman – then the LIV CEO – from the attending the 150th Open at St Andrews in his capacity as a two-time Open champion.

Maybe – just maybe – peace time in golf is closer than we thought.

What next? OWGR status? Don’t rule it out…