Exemptions for Open extended

Press, 10 January 1981, Page 4

Exemptions for Open extended

NZPA London There will be an extra place for New Zealand and Australian golfers at this year’s British Open. The Royal and Ancient club announced yesterday that six players from the new Australia and New Zealand order of merit would be exempt from qualifying. Previously the leading player on the New Zealand circuit and the top four : from the Australian order of merit gained automatic entry. The Asian circuit allocation has been cut from four to three.

Australians with’ exempt tions for this year’s championship, to be played at the Royal St George’s ’ club, Sandwich, in Kent, from July 16 to July 19, are Jack Newton, (who finished well inside the top 25 at Muirfield last year), and Peter Thomson, who did not play last year and is unlikely to compete this time. Thomson,, five times winner of the Open, is one of five players who last won the championship before 1971 who would riot otherwise have gained exemption. Another is New Zealand’s Bob Charles. There will of course be other New Zealanders and Australians in the final field of 155, who will gain entry through their performances on the various circuits.