Age limit exemption for past Open champions to be reduced to 55

The Royal & Ancient (R&A) announced on Wednesday that the age limit for past British Open champions has been reduced from 60 to 55 beginning with this year's edition.

The age limit was previously reduced from 65 to 60 in 2007. The 152nd edition of the Open, the world's oldest golf championship, will take place in July at Royal Troon.

"From 2024, players winning The Open will be exempt until the age of 55. All golfers currently exempt as past champions will be able to play in The Open until the age of 60," the R&A said in a statement.

"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."

The R&A also announced that New Zealand's Michael Hendry had been granted a medical exemption after being unable to compete last year due to a leukaemia diagnosis that kept him off the greens for several months.

SportsLigue