U.S. Open Awards LIV Golf Exemption
For the first time, a major championship is providing a direct qualification route for players on the LIV Golf tour. The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced on Wednesday that a new exemption category will allow one LIV player to qualify for the 2025 U.S. Open based on their season standings.
The top player from the LIV Golf Individual Standings, who is not already exempt and ranks in the top three as of May 19th, 2025, will secure a spot at Oakmont Country Club in June. This move marks a shift in how the USGA evaluates professional tours, as LIV golfers previously had to rely on world rankings or special invitations to compete in majors.
Scott O’Neil, CEO of LIV Golf, welcomed the decision. “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 said. He added that LIV Golf remains dedicated to working alongside golf’s governing bodies to promote the sport globally.
Beyond the 2025 U.S. Open, the USGA has established a long-term exemption system for LIV Golf. Starting in 2026, exemptions will be granted to the top player from the previous season’s final standings and the top player from the midseason standings in May. The top 10 players from the LIV rankings on April 7th, 2025, will also bypass local qualifying, going straight into the final 36-hole stage. A similar system will be in place for 2026.
John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief championships officer, explained the reasoning behind the change. “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,” he said.
LIV golfers have not been barred from previous majors, but they have faced challenges in securing spots due to LIV Golf’s absence from the Official World Golf Rankings. While The Masters and the PGA Championship have granted special invitations to players like Joaquín Niemann and Sergio Garcia, neither tournament has established a direct qualification route based on LIV standings.
Currently, several high-profile LIV players are already exempt for the 2025 U.S. Open, including past champions Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson. Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith, and Richard Bland also have exemptions.
The decision to provide a guaranteed spot for a LIV golfer could be a significant development in golf’s ongoing split between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. While negotiations between the two organizations continue, the USGA’s new policy signals recognition of LIV Golf’s competitive standing in the sport.
The 2025 LIV Golf season begins this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
