Rebel LIV tour and golf’s civil war overshadowed everything at the Open

The schism in world golf is the all-consuming storyline, with all eyes now turning to Augusta and the 2023 Masters

And a farewell from him? Australia's Cameron Smith celebrates after winning The Open at the Old Course, St Andrews. Pic: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

The condensed nature of the men’s major championship schedule leaves an unsatisfactory pause after the final putts are holed at the Open. To be precise, 263 days will have passed between Cameron Smith holding the Claret Jug aloft at the Old Course and the opening tee shots being struck at the 2023 Masters.

There is reason, however, to wonder what on earth the professional game could – or should – look like by the time it returns to Augusta National next year. Mainstream tours can wish away the LIV Series all they like and the R&A can try to divert focus on to Smith’s outstanding final round of 64, but the fact remains this major was dominated by discourse about the rebel league.