The deadly West Virginia floods that have sadly claimed the lives of some 23 people and also resulted in the PGA Tour cancelling next fortnight’s Greensboro Classic has seen the R & A now offer the one spot into golf’s oldest Major to the leading non Royal Troon qualifier at this coming week’s Barracuda Championship at Montreux Golf and Country Club in Reno, Nevada.

The Greenbrier Classic was scheduled to be the last stop on the PGA Tour in the Open Qualifying Series, but the event has been cancelled due to the devastating flooding caused by record rainfall in West Virginia.

Unfortunately, the flooding has severely damaged from the flooding and is beyond reasonable repair to conduct the tournament.

American JJ Henry smiling after capturing last year’s Barracuda Championship. (IPhoto – PGA Tour)

So one player who finishes in the top five and ties at the Barracuda Championship, who is not already exempt for The Open, will secure a place in The Open from 14-17 July, 2016.

In the event of a tie, the place will go to the player with the higher ranking in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the week commencing 27 June.

And the R & A has advised that as all players inside the top-20 on the FedEx Cup points list as at the end of this Quicken Loans Championship are into The Open then there will be extra spots into The Open off the World Rankings.