Golf powerbrokers Fred Ridley and Martin Slumbers confident PGA Tour talks with Saudis will benefit golf

Two of the most powerful men in golf were in Melbourne on Thursday, with the future of the game hanging on talks between the PGA Tour and LIV’s Saudi backers.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley wants the best players in the world to be able to play in the US Masters. Picture: AAC

Two of the most powerful men in golf remain in the dark about the potential outcome of a deal that could shape the future of the game but have a united hope and confidence the turbulence of the last two years will soon be at an end.

Martin Slumbers, the chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, which runs the Open Championship, and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley declared that confidence in Melbourne on Thursday despite being distanced from negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which backs the breakaway LIV Golf tour.

Despite his powerful position in golf, Slumbers conceded he “wasn’t at the table” in the PGA Tour’s talks with the PIF, which is looking to invest billions in the game, with the potential for the landscape to change significantly and determine LIV’s future.

But he said golf’s financial stability had to be the prime driver at those talks as some of the world’s best players remain in limbo.

“I think it‘s very important that the game comes together again. We’ve got too much divisive discussion going on,” said Slumbers, in Melbourne for the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne.

“However it all shapes out, and how the future comes, the game needs to be financially sustainable.

“There‘s nothing worse to me than having a structure that doesn’t create long-term sustainability.”

Royal and Ancient Golf Club chief executive says the game needs to be financially sustainable. Picture: AAC

Ridley, who was supportive of the parties coming together after LIV’s emergence brought disruption to golf, concurred and declared golf was better when there was “harmony” in the sport.

“This is not the first time there‘s been, you know, discord in the sport … and I think that everybody is really trying to do what’s right for the game,” he said.

“We were supportive publicly when this announcement was made back in June … it’s better when we all work together, and it’s better when there’s harmony in the game.”

Both conceded the qualification for their events in 2024 was not yet locked in, with the door ajar for changes to potentially accommodate more LIV players after a world rankings snub made the path to the world’s best tournaments that much harder.

While Slumbers shot down reports that the R&A was talking to LIV about exemptions as “off the mark”, he confirmed their qualification criteria for The Open at Royal Troon could be adjusted before a February 2024 announcement.

“We are in the process of reviewing our exemptions and conditions of entry for The Open Championship for next year, as we always do. We will publish those in early 2024,” he said.

“Our conditions are designed in a way to create pathways for the very best players in the world to compete. The Open is intended to be open to everybody, that you earn your place in the field and through exemptions and that won’t change.”

Tiger Woods and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images/AFP

In the aftermath of the rankings rejection, LIV star Bryson DeChambeau suggested the top 12 on LIVs money list could become exempt for majors. Talor Gooch, who won LIV’s season-long points race with three victories in a standout 2023, would miss the majors next year on current qualification rules.

Ridley said the Masters had never baulked at changing eligibility rules and while he didn’t “anticipate” any changes for 2024, he didn’t rule it out, saying he wanted the “best players in the world” at Augusta.

“We look at those every year. We don‘t make changes every year, but we do look at them under the current circumstances,” he said.

“Last year, there was some speculation as to whether or not we would invite golfers. Then we stayed true to our qualification criteria. We invited everyone who was eligible.

“So while we do not at this time anticipate making a change in 2024, we do always look at them, and we will continue to do that. Our qualifications are very much dynamic, and we adjust to what we feel is in the best interest of the tournament representing the best players in the world.”