55 and out: R&A changes exemption rules for past Open champions
The age at which past champions can play at The Open has been altered by the R&A, while there was no good news for LIV players as exemption changes were announced
When you pick up the Claret Jug, you get more than just golf’s most distinctive trophy. You get to come back and play The Open as a past champion for decades to come.
Who can forget those memorable moments on the Swilcan Bridge at St Andrews as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson said goodbye to the game’s oldest major?
But from this year’s event at Royal Troon, the R&A have changed the Champions’ exemption category. From now on, players who win The Open will only be exempt until they are 55.
Past champions have previously been able to play until they are 60 and those currently exempt under that arrangement will continue to do so.
Whoever wins on the Ayrshire coast this time around, though, will get five years less than Brian Harman, who tamed the weather and Royal Liverpool last summer.
Open champions exemption changes: How does The Open compare with other majors – and what about LIV?
The Masters gives former winners lifetime invitations to the opening major of the year, while all former winners of the PGA Championship can compete. The US Open is the most stringent, with winners’ exemptions expiring after 10 years.
While LIV golfers may be clamouring for major invites, the R&A have announced no explicit changes that would benefit the breakaway Saudi tour.
There were reports last autumn the league had been in talks with the governing body about the prospects of places in the field – with The Telegraph writing they had asked for 12 spots.
But a new exemption will offer players competing on the Asian Tour, the Japan Golf Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Sunshine Tour the opportunity to qualify through the International Federation Ranking list.
The leading five golfers as of the closing date of entries will be awarded places in The Open. With LIV golfers frequently taking up Asian Tour spots in a bid to gain world ranking points, that may offer another route for those seeking to avoid a trip to qualifying. Andy Ogletree is second on that list.
An exemption for the Africa Amateur Champion has also been added. It will be taken up this year by Altin van der Merwe after his victory in the inaugural championship at Leopard Creek last month.
The R&A have also confirmed Michael Hendry has been granted a medical exemption to play at Royal Troon. He had been unable to play at Hoylake because of serious illness.
Now have your say
What do you think of these changes for former Open champions? Should there be a limit on the age past champions can compete? Let us know by leaving a comment on X.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
