LIV star makes feelings clear on Open exemptions

LIV Golf star Cam Smith has argued that the breakaway league’s Open exemptions should have been introduced sooner.

The R&A announced on Tuesday that the top five players, not already exempt, in LIV’s individual standings after LIV Dallas would be awarded a place at Royal Portrush.

It follows a move by the USGA to award LIV players the same opportunity to qualify for the US Open at Oakmont Country Club in June.

But ahead of LIV’s second event of the season in Smith’s native Australia, the former Open champion said the decision is overdue.

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“I think it would have been nice to have that as soon as we moved over here but obviously things take time,” the 31-year-old told the West Australian. “I think it definitely needed to happen.

“I feel like there are some guys out here who have missed out on spots in majors over that past couple years that deserved them so it’s good to see that they are acknowledging us.

“It’s hard to win out here and it’s hard to compete and I think we have the strongest fields in golf week in and week out. I think it will be the best thing for the game.”

Smith has teed it up in every major championship since his move to LIV Golf in 2022 after lifting the Claret Jug in St Andrews that year.

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However, his Ripper GC teammates are among the raft of players on the Saudi-backed circuit who have lost their rights to compete in the game’s big four events.

Marc Leishman, who finished runner up in the 2015 Open, hasn’t contested a major in two years but reckons the governing bodies decisions are a step in the right direction for LIV.

“We do want to play those majors, and I think it proves we are on the right track and are going to be around for a long time, that the majors are starting to recognise it,” he said.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said the USGA’s call was a “commitment to growing the game of golf”, while R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said that LIV players “should have the opportunity” to secure Open places.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.