Golf
Key golf figure slams sport’s money problem on eve of The Open
Outgoing Royal and Ancient chief executive Martin Slumbers says the governing body is concerned with golf’s money problem.
Slumbers made the comments as the governing body released the official prize money for the 2024 edition of the major at Royal Troon.
Competitors in the field will be playing for a purse of $17,500,000 this week.
That, of course, is an astronomical sum of money but is still some way short of the other majors as well LIV Golf events and certain tournaments on the PGA Tour.
The Masters had a purse of $20m, PGA Championship $18.5m and the US Open $21.5m.
“The R&A has a responsibility to strike a balance between maintaining The Open’s position in the global game, providing the funds required for governance and developing amateur and recreational golf in 146 countries internationally,” Slumbers said.
He added: “We have to make choices if we want to continue to build on the significant growth in participation that is essential for golf’s future.
“We remain concerned about the impact substantial increases in men’s professional prize money are having on the perception of the sport and its long-term financial sustainability.
“We are determined to act with the interests of the global game in mind as we pursue our goal of ensuring golf continues to thrive in 50 years’ time.”
Slumbers, 63, has been at the helm for nine years.
He is overseeing the running of this year’s Open and the AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews before leaving his post.
Slumbers succeeded Peter Dawson in 2015.
His replacement has already been named.
Slumbers will leave his role with the future of elite men’s professional golf up in the air.
The PGA Tour is still trying to plot a path towards a successful future by striking a deal with the backers of LIV Golf.
Initially, Slumbers took a dim view of the breakaway tour and explained before the 2022 Open at St Andrews that the league was not in the best interests of the game.
But his stance has softened somewhat, given that he he expressed a willingness for the R&A to do business with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Tiger Woods plays a practice round be The Open
He has since stated the R&A could open up direct pathways for LIV players.
It will be interesting to see what his legacy will be.
Successes during his tenure include the commercial growth of The Open and Women’s Open.
He is also a staunch advocate of sustainability and environmental causes.
Slumbers has also been at the forefront of plans to limit how far the golf ball will travel in the future.
The golf ball rollback was made official last December and will be adopted in 2028 for professionals and two years later for amateurs.
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