PGA Tour Pro Throws R&A Under the Bus amid Open Championship Mystery
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
With less than five weeks left until the FedEx Cup Playoffs begin on August 6th, PGA Tour players are scrambling for every point that could punch their ticket to the postseason.
A few events offer more leverage than others, like the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where 600 FedEx Cup points are up for grabs. But for one PGA Tour winner, the only thing more frustrating than missing out is not knowing if he's even in, and he's not staying quiet about it.
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 15: Michael Kim of the United States prepares to play his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June...
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 15: Michael Kim of the United States prepares to play his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) More
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Michael Kim, currently ranked No. 55 in the Official World Golf Ranking and 29th in the FedEx Cup standings, took to X on Thursday to call out the R&A for its lack of communication regarding his Open Championship status.
"You'd think with less than two weeks before the Open Champ starts, the R&A could give me a decent idea of whether I'm playing it or not... but nope," Kim wrote. "All I've gotten is 'you have a slight chance.'"
He followed up with another jab: "My friend who looked at all the qualifications has given me more info than the R&A has."
"There's still 6 spots left and if they fill it with OWGR, then I'm most likely in—but even that they won't say anything about."
Kim's frustration isn't unfounded. With a strong 2025 season that includes three top-10 finishes and a T4 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he's been one of the most consistent performers outside the top tier.
His OWGR average of 2.09 and FedEx Cup total of 1,057 points put him ahead of several players.
Meanwhile, the R&A has continued to finalize its 156-player field, with recent additions including Sergio Garcia, who earned his spot via the LIV Golf exemption after landing fifth in the LIV Golf's standings.
Lee Westwood, another LIV veteran, qualified through Final Qualifying at Dundonald Links, marking his first Open appearance since 2022. Other big names confirmed include Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Tommy Fleetwood.
To date, six spots remain unfilled, and the R&A has yet to clarify whether they'll be awarded via OWGR, alternates, or special exemptions. For players like Kim, who sit on the bubble, the silence is deafening.
More Golf: Tommy Fleetwood lookin' good at Wimbledon after Travelers Heartbreak
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