LIV Golf Competitors Secure Their Route to US Open Exemptions

On Wednesday, the US Open became the first major tournament to establish a direct pathway for players from LIV Golf, revealing a new exemption category that will provide one spot for the leading player among the top three halfway through LIV’s season.

This year, the exemption will come from the standings as of May 19 in LIV. Starting with the 2026 US Open, the USGA will select the leading player from the final 2025 individual standings, alongside the top player from the May 18, 2026, ranking list.

In each scenario, the exemption is granted to the highest-ranked player who is not already exempt and must be within the top three of the standings.

Other major tournaments have not barred players from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League. The Masters, for instance, invited Joaquin Niemann for the past two years, primarily due to his performance in international events.

The PGA Championship has also extended invitations to LIV players based on their world rankings. For the upcoming 2024 tournament at Valhalla, Talor Gooch has been invited after clinching three victories on LIV the previous year. That said, the PGA of America does not have specific criteria, categorising LIV players and others under “special invitations.” This year, both Niemann and Sergio Garcia have received invitations from the PGA.

For this year’s US Open, an exemption will be awarded to “the top player who is not otherwise exempt and among the top three” in the LIV individual standings as of May 19.

If the top three players in the standings are already exempt, it’s possible that no one will claim that exemption. Currently, LIV players like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Richard Bland, Phil Mickelson, and Cameron Smith are already exempt.

Scott O’Neil, the new CEO of LIV Golf, remarked, “We are delighted that the USGA has officially established a new exemption for LIV Golf players to compete in the US Open and commend Mike Whan’s leadership and dedication to promoting the game of golf.”

“Golf fans worldwide are eager to see the best players compete on the grandest stages at the majors,” O’Neil added. “LIV Golf is committed to collaborative efforts with golf’s governing bodies to enhance the sport globally.”

The US Open is scheduled to take place from June 12 to 16 at Oakmont Country Club, located in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.

John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief championships officer, stated, “The USGA is continually assessing pathways to ensure that those performing at their peak have the opportunity to compete in our national championship.”

“In line with our historic approach, we are always reviewing talent levels across professional tours and amateur competitions, which has prompted the introduction of this new exemption category.”

Alongside this new category, the USGA will provide exemptions from the first stage of 18-hole qualifying starting next year for the top ten players on the LIV points list as of April 7, 2026, after five LIV events have taken place.

LIV Golf will commence its fourth season on Thursday at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, marking its inaugural network deal with Fox Sports. The circuit also has planned events in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Miami, and South Korea before the US Open exemption deadline.

Players from the breakaway league have always had the option to qualify — with four LIV players successfully navigating the US Open qualifiers last year. However, having a designated target could provide a significant boost, especially for younger players without a standing on established tours.

Notable young players who joined LIV Golf this year include Tom McKibbin from Northern Ireland, Frederik Kjettrup from Denmark, Luis Masaveu from Spain, and Yubin Jang from South Korea.