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The Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland (pictured July 2010)
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Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
The organizers of the Open Championship (also British Open), the most traditional golf tournament in the world, allow players of the controversial LIV golf series to participate.
"Openness is a fundamental part of our attitude and a unique selling point," tournament director Martin Slumbers is quoted as saying in a statement.
The 150th edition of the Major will take place from July 14th to 17th on the legendary Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland.
It is the oldest still played golf tournament in the world.
Numerous stars such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, or, according to media reports, the four-time major champion Brooks Koepka, have already joined the LIV tour, which is financed by Saudi Arabia.
The German Martin Kaymer is also there.
The US PGA Tour has therefore already excluded the renegades.
The PGA had also brought the European golf series DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) to its side.
The DP World Tour has announced a decision for Thursday.
Saudi tour splits the golf world
At the US Open last week, however, the professionals who decided to take part in the Saudi tour were allowed to start.
Because the traditional event is not organized by the PGA, but by the American golf association USGA.
This had caused controversy.
The LIV Golf Invitational Series started on June 11th in London and has been heavily criticized ever since.
Financed by the 800 billion dollar Saudi Arabian state fund, the new golf tour has almost unlimited funds at its disposal.
The accusation: The country, which is accused of human rights violations, is trying to improve its image with lucrative sporting events ("sportswashing").
The players receive extremely high entry fees for their participation.
"I'm not a politician, I'm a professional golfer," Kaymer had said.
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