The world’s top golfers will be permitted to wear shorts as they practice for this summer’s 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 Ireland’s 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.

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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: “Yeah, why not, on the shorts.

“I mean, obviously, it would be a change in golf. But I don’t see why not to be honest.

“There’s people playing golf in shorts all around the world. So I don’t see why we should be different. I’m aware that it might take time and we’ll see.”

Molinari joked that the championship committee would be unlikely to face extreme heat on Northern Ireland’s north coast.

“I don’t think it will be a priority in Portrush this summer,” he said.