Updated: 8:44 a.m. ET, June 29
Hurley will be replaced in the field by Shell Houston Open winner Jim Herman
Original story:
AKRON, Ohio – Billy Hurley III has withdrawn from next month’s Open Championship, opting instead to attend his sister’s wedding in Virginia.
Hurley earned a spot in the field at Royal Troon with his maiden PGA Tour victory Sunday at the Quicken Loans National. But while his peers compete in the third round on July 16, he’ll be in his hometown of Leesburg, Va., for the nuptials of his sister, Megan.
“I wouldn’t miss my sister’s wedding for the world,” Hurley said. “I think that at this point in time for me and my family and the trajectory of our family, it’s very important for me to be there to support her and her husband, new husband.”
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Hurley called R&A chief Martin Slumbers on Tuesday to inform him of his withdrawal.
His lone prior Open Championship appearance came in 2014, when he finished T-64 at Royal Liverpool. While the 34-year-old had hoped to build upon that record, he felt his priorities lay elsewhere.
“I mean, it was a pretty easy decision at the end of the day,” he said. “She tried to not influence me a ton on Sunday night, but I called her while I was playing and she started crying. I mean, so she was pretty thrilled that I’ll be there.”
While Hurley won’t tee it up next month at Troon, his win at Congressional still means that he has spots in the upcoming PGA Championship, Masters, Tournament of Champions and Players Championship, as well as an exemption on Tour through the 2017-18 season.
The Open Championship will be held July 14-17 in Ayrshire, Scotland.
