The R&A is not keeping up with the times by keeping the criteria that offers an Open Championship exemption to the leading five players from among the top 20 in the FedEx Cup through this week’s Travelers Championship.
Everyone from the top 29 going into the Travelers already is exempt — Bud Cauley at No. 30 would have the best chance to grab one spot, leaving four unused.
This could be the third time in the last five years that category goes unused.
First came a chance in the Official World Golf Ranking formula that led to higher points for the PGA Tour. Plus, anyone winning a PGA Tour event to move high in the FedEx Cup is likely to have earned a spot already through being top 50 in the world.
When categories are unused, it typically leads to more spots available on the reserve list, which is based on the world ranking.
Dustin Johnson debating Open Championship qualifier
Dustin Johnson’s 10-year exemption to the U.S. Open from winning in 2016 at Oakmont ran out this year. His five-year exemption to the Open Championship from his 2020 Masters victory ran out this year.
He is exempt to the Masters for life, but he’s not ready to entirely give up on the majors. Johnson has entered final regional qualifying for the Open Championship, and is scheduled to play next Tuesday at Dundonald Links in Scotland alongside Angel Hidalgo of Spain and Connor Graham, the Scot who went 2-1-1 in the Walker Cup last year.
Johnson said he still hadn’t made up his mind whether to go. He would have preferred a different course than Dundonald Links, and qualifying is two weeks before The Open.
Johnson would be one of 11 players from LIV Golf in the four qualifiers, each offering five spots. That list includes Sergio Garcia, Peter Uihlein, Thomas Detry and Carlos Ortiz.
