Open Championship Lowers Age for Champions' Exemptions to 55

A new exemption category introduced, offering opportunities for players from various international tours.

The R&A announced changes to the Open Championship's qualifying criteria, including lowering the age of Champions' exemptions from 60 to 55.
Past winners of the Open Championship, such as Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els, will not be affected by the new age limit and can compete until age 60.
A new exemption category will allow players from the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and Sunshine Tour to qualify for the Open.
Phil Mickelson, the oldest major champion, may face challenges entering other majors after his five-year exemption expires due to LIV Golf's exclusion from the Official World Golf Rankings.
Michael Hendry was granted a medical exemption for the Open after missing last year due to a leukaemia diagnosis.