The Open will welcome an extra representative from the Saudi-backed rebel tour at Royal Portrush this July
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CameronSmith,apastOpenwinner,willbejoinedbyanextraLIVGolfrepresentativeatPortrushthissummer(REUTERS)LIVGolfhasbeengivenanothersignificantboostwiththebreakawayseriesearninganextraqualificationspotforTheOpen.
TheleadingplayernotalreadyexemptinthetopfiveoftheSaudi-fundedbreakaway’sstandings,followingthecompletionofLIVGolfDallasattheendofJune,willbeawardedthespotatPortrushthissummer,continuingasofteningofthestanceontheseriesfromthemajors.
TheannouncementfollowshotontheheelsofasimilarventureattheUSOpen.Thetournament,whichtakesplaceinmid-June,confirmedlastweekthatitisofferinganexemptiontooneleadingLIVplayerbeyondthosealreadyeligible.
ThatwillalsobethecaseinNorthernIrelandfrom17-20Julyasthe153rdOpentakesplaceontheDunluceCourse.
R&AchiefexecutiveMarkDarbonsaid:“TheOpenisaglobalchampionshipforthebestmen’sgolfersandeachyearwereviewourexemptionstoensurethatweofferpathwaysintothe
