Organisers of golf’s oldest Major have now allowed competitors to wear shorts.

The R & A, as organisers of the Open  Championship, have now joined the PGA Championship, the European Tour, the Asian Tour and more-recently the PGA Tour in approving the wearing of shorts during the practice rounds.

However, as it common among those who have approved shorts the rule will not apply during the four competition rounds.

It’s a change in golf but I don’t see why not. People play golf in shorts all around the world. I don’t see why we should be different. I’m aware it might take time and I don’t think it will be a priority in Portrush.

The R & A now join the PGA Championship in allowing the wearing of shorts.

The European Tour broke from tradition in 2016 to allow competitors wear shorts in the practice rounds and pro-am’s while the PGA Championship allowed the wearing of shorts for a first occasion in last year’s championship at Bellerive in St. Louis.

The only major golfing bodies not to allow the wearing of shorts is the Masters and the USGA that conducts the staging of the US Open.

However, reigning Open Champion, Francesco Molinari, and given the poor winter-like weather that can hit The Open is not too sure of the move.

“It’s a change in golf but I don’t see why not,” he said.

“People play golf in shorts all around the world. I don’t see why we should be different. I’m aware it might take time and I don’t think it will be a priority in Portrush.”

Molinari will defend the Open Championship from the 18th to 21st July, 2019 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

It will be the first occasion since 1951 The Open  has been held outside with Scotland or England.