U.S. Open Creates New Exemption Path for LIV Golf Players

U.S. Open Paves the Way for LIV Golf Players with New Exemption Category

In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. Open has become the first major golf tournament to establish a direct pathway for players from the LIV Golf League. On Wednesday, the tournament organizers announced a new exemption category that will award one spot to the leading player from among the top three at LIV’s halfway point this year. This decision marks a significant shift in the landscape of professional golf, as it acknowledges the growing influence of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League.

The new exemption category will include one spot this year from the May 19 standings in LIV. Starting with the 2026 U.S. Open, the USGA will take the leading player in the final 2025 individual standings, along with the leading player from the May 18, 2026, list. In each case, the exemption goes to the leading player not already exempt, and the player must be among the top three in the standings.

While the other major tournaments have not turned away players from the LIV Golf League, they have not been as explicit in their criteria. The Masters, for instance, has invited Joaquín Niemann each of the last two years, basing their decision on his international play. Similarly, the PGA Championship has invited LIV players based on their world ranking. For the 2024 event at Valhalla, it invited Talor Gooch, who had won three times on the LIV tour the previous year. However, the PGA of America does not have specific criteria, lumping LIV players and others into “special invitations.” Niemann and Sergio Garcia have already received PGA invitations this year.

For this year’s U.S. Open, an exemption from qualifying will be given to “the top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top three” of the LIV individual standings as of May 19. This could mean that no one gets that exemption if the leading three are already eligible. Notable LIV players such as Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Richard Bland, Phil Mickelson, and Cameron Smith are currently exempt.

Scott O’Neil, the new CEO of LIV Golf, expressed his satisfaction with the USGA’s decision, stating, “We’re pleased that the USGA has formally created a new exemption for LIV Golf players to compete in the U.S. Open and appreciate Mike Whan’s leadership and commitment to growing the game of golf.” He added, “Every golf fan in the world longs to see the greatest players in the world competing on golf’s biggest stages at the majors. LIV Golf is committed to working hand in hand with golf’s governing bodies to elevate the sport in all corners of the world.”

The U.S. Open is scheduled to take place from June 12-15 at Oakmont Country Club in the Pittsburgh suburbs. John Bodenhamer, the USGA chief championships officer, commented on the new exemption category, saying, “The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship. Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category.”

In addition to the new category, the USGA will offer exemptions from the first stage of 18-hole qualifying starting next year to the top 10 players on the LIV points list on April 7, 2026. By that time, five LIV events will have been played. LIV Golf is set to begin its fourth season on Thursday under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, equipped with its first network deal with Fox Sports. The league also has events scheduled for Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Miami, and South Korea before the U.S. Open exemption deadline.

Players from the breakaway league have always been able to go through qualifying, with four LIV players making it through U.S. Open qualifying last year. However, having a set target could be seen as a boost, particularly to young players who have no status on established tours. Among the young players who joined LIV Golf this year are Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland, Frederik Kjettrup of Denmark, Luis Masaveu of Spain, and Yubin Jang of South Korea.