LIV Golf gamers got a direct path into the US Open on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) because the US Golf Affiliation introduced new exemption classes for this 12 months’s June 12-15 occasion.
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The US Open turns into the primary main to offer a direct path for LIV expertise into the sphere, with an exempt spot reserved at Oakmont for the highest participant not in any other case exempt amongst LIV’s prime three within the particular person standings as of Might 19, the day after this 12 months’s PGA Championship.
There will likely be seven occasions earlier than the cutoff this 12 months within the Saudi-backed sequence, beginning with this week’s occasion in Saudi Arabia adopted by these in Adelaide, Hong Kong, Singapore, Miami, Mexico Metropolis and South Korea.
“The USGA continues to judge the pathways that exist to make sure these taking part in their greatest have the chance to compete in our nationwide championship,” USGA chief competitions officer John Bodenhamer stated.
“Per our historic strategy, we constantly consider expertise ranges on skilled excursions and in beginner occasions, which has led us so as to add a brand new exemption class.”
Along with the total exemption this 12 months, a neighborhood exemption will likely be awarded to the highest 10 LIV gamers as of April 7, the Monday of Masters week. That places them into the 36-hole closing qualifying for US Open spots.
Beginning in 2026 for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, the highest three not already exempt from LIV’s 2025 closing standings will earn a US Open berth as will the highest un-exempt participant within the LIV prime three in Might 2026.
“We’re happy that the USGA has formally created a brand new exemption for LIV Golf gamers to compete within the US Open,” LIV Golf chief government officer Scott O’Neil stated.
“Each golf fan on the earth longs to see the best gamers on the earth competing on golf’s greatest phases on the majors. LIV Golf is dedicated to working hand in hand with golf’s governing our bodies to raise the game in all corners of the world.”
The PGA of America and the R&A haven’t created particular qualifying classes for LIV gamers whereas the Masters provides particular invites, this 12 months together with LIV’s Joaquin Niemann of Chile.
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LIV gamers who’re already certified for this 12 months’s US Open embody defending champion Bryson DeChambeau and previous main winners Jon Rahm, Cam Smith, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka.
Since LIV’s 2022 debut, the US PGA Tour has banned LIV gamers from competing in PGA occasions. That has left the key tournaments because the place the place LIV and PGA stars can compete in opposition to each other.
The PGA Tour and LIV’s backers, the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF) have been in talks about bringing the 2 sides collectively for almost two years with no deal but accomplished.