The worldโs top golfers will be permitted to wear shorts as they practise for this summerโs Open Championship, the R&A has announced.
The tournament organisers have relaxed their dress code for the event at Royal Portrush Golf Club to allow shorts on practice days, and during final qualifying for the event.
The R&A has also opened up the possibility of shorts being permitted on championship days, if temperatures soar on Northern Irelandโs scenic Causeway Coast in July. In extreme weather conditions, the championship committee will reserve the right to permit the wearing of shorts.
European Tour players can already wear shorts in pro-ams and practice rounds.
Open champion Francesco Molinari said he would welcome the chance to wear shorts as he defends the title he won at Carnoustie in 2018.
Asked if would like to see the dress code relaxed on championship days, the Italian star said: โYeah, why not, on the shorts. I mean, obviously, it would be a change in golf. But I donโt see why not to be honest.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with golfers showing the bottom half of their legs." - @McIlroyRory on shorts at the #PGAChamp ?? pic.twitter.com/xtKNLDjHtm
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) 8 August 2017
โThereโs people playing golf in shorts all around the world. So I donโt see why we should be different. Iโm aware that it might take time and weโll see.โ
Molinari joked that the championship committee would be unlikely to face extreme heat on Northern Irelandโs north coast.
โI donโt think it will be a priority in Portrush this summer,โ he said.