IAN Woosnam today backed calls to give Senior Tour players world ranking points to earn exemptions into the Majors.
Both Bernhard Langer and Greg Norman believe there should be a path for successful Seniors to earn their place on the big stage without having to qualify.
Woosnam won the Order of Merit on last season’s European Senior Tour, and finds it strange that he is not exempt for major tournaments as a result.
“It’s a good point. Someone said to me: ‘Winning the Order of Merit in Europe last year – “why aren’t you in The Open?’
“Good point – that’s an incentive to play for really,” said the former Ryder Cup captain.
Australian Norman, who led going into the final round at Birkdale in 2008 only to be outdone by Padraig Harrington, added that it was only a matter of time before one of the game’s senior statesmen landed a Major following 59-year-old Tom Watson’s staggering performance at The Open at Turnberry.
“Somebody post-50 is going to win a major championship very, very shortly,” said Norman.
“It may not happen on a course like Bethpage Black – the US Open venue.
“It may not happen at a course like Augusta National in April when it’s cold and wet and damp.
“But it will happen at a PGA Championship, it will happen at a British Open somewhere down the line.”
Langer, speaking ahead of today’s Senior Open Championship, said: “I’m not saying it’s bad to have them play until 65.
“But it would be good to include maybe the top two or three on the money list from our tour.
“I don’t think people realise how high the level of play is on the Senior Tour and the Champions Tour. It is really difficult to win out there.”