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LIV Golf are set to make history at this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Brad Ullman, Vice President of Rules for LIV Golf, has received an invitation from the R&A to officiate at Royal Portrush, as he becomes the first rules official from LIV Golf invited to work at a major championship.
“What a great acknowledgement for LIV Golf and our league to be recognised by the R&A to receive such an invitation,” Ullman said. “It means a great deal to me to be asked to represent LIV Golf on one of golf’s biggest world stages.”
David Benne, LIV Golf’s Senior Vice President of Competition Management, added: “We’re very happy that Brad will be at Royal Portrush in a working capacity. It’s a great honour for any rules official to be invited to work a major, and we’re fully supportive of the R&A’s decision to reach out to Brad.”
This will be Ullman’s first time working at one of the four men’s majors, but prior to joining LIV Golf, he collated more than 15 years of experience as a rules official at various events, including the Presidents Cup, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and multiple U.S. Amateur championships.
“Personally, to be invited is very exciting,” said Ullman. “To be a part of the foundation of what is to come for our league, in partnership with one of golf’s governing bodies as a part of the rich history and traditions of our game, is something special.
“To represent LIV Golf as a referee at the oldest championship in the world and to work alongside referees from over 20 other professional golf organisations is indeed an honour.”
Ullman won’t be the only LIV Golf presence at Royal Portrush. Nineteen familiar LIV players are in the field for the 2025 Open Championship, which gets underway on Thursday:
Dean Burmester (England)
John Catlin (USA)
Bryson DeChambeau (USA)
Sergio Garcia (Spain)
Tyrrell Hatton (England)
Lucas Herbert (South Africa)
Dustin Johnson (USA)
Brooks Koepka (USA)
Jason Kokrak (USA)
Tom McKibbin (Northern Ireland)
Phil Mickelson (USA)
Joaquin Niemann (Chile)
Louis Oosthuizen (USA)
Carlos Ortiz (Mexico)
Patrick Reed (USA)
Jon Rahm (Spain)
Cameron Smith (Australia)
Henrik Stenson (Sweden)
Lee Westwood (England)
This news also comes after the LIV Golf League recently resubmitted its application for inclusion in the Official World Golf Ranking system. LIV members can only currently earn official world ranking points in the major championships and international tours, including the DP World Tour and the Asian Tour.
The OWGR Board of Directors, including the chairman, Trevor Immelman, is expected to hold a meeting this week at Royal Portrush during The Open Championship as to how it moves forward.
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Main Image: LIV Golf
