The USGA has created an exemption class for LIV Golf gamers to compete within the U.S. Open, making the match the primary of golf’s 4 majors to introduce a proper pathway for golfers on the Saudi-backed circuit, it mentioned on Wednesday.
One spot within the 156-player discipline for the June 12-15 U.S. Open in Oakmont, Pennsylvania will probably be awarded to a golfer who isn’t in any other case exempt and within the prime three of the LIV Golf Particular person Standings as of Could 19.
The entry will enhance to 2 gamers for subsequent yr’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York, with main LIV Golf gamers from the ultimate 2025 particular person standings and the Could 18, 2026 checklist gaining entry.
In each instances, the spots are for gamers not already exempt and among the many prime three within the standings.
“The USGA continues to guage the pathways that exist to make sure these taking part in their greatest have the chance to compete in our nationwide championship,” mentioned John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer.
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“In step with our historic strategy, we repeatedly consider expertise ranges on skilled excursions and in novice occasions, which has led us so as to add a brand new exemption class.”
Whereas LIV Golf gamers had been eligible to play in golf’s majors, there had beforehand been no direct pathway for them into the blue-riband occasions, which meant qualification was tougher for these with out beforehand current exemptions.
However final June the USGA mentioned it could contemplate making a direct route into the U.S. Open for well-performing LIV Golf gamers in a bid to make sure the world’s greatest gamers compete in opposition to one another.
The announcement on Wednesday was applauded by LIV Golf.
“Each golf fan on this planet longs to see the best gamers on this planet competing on golf’s largest phases on the majors,” LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil mentioned in an announcement.
“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.”
Final yr, LIV Golf formally withdrew its software
to have its 54-hole, no-cut occasions recognised by the Official World Golf Rating, which performs a key function in deciding entry into golf’s 4 majors.
LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau, who gained final yr’s U.S. Open, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Cam Smith and Richard Bland are presently exempt into the yr’s third main by different exemption classes.
Earlier this yr Augusta Nationwide mentioned it had given Joaquin Niemann a particular invitation to the April 10-13 Masters however made no point out of the Chilean’s involvement with LIV Golf.
Niemann and fellow LIV Golf participant Sergio Garcia have additionally already acquired invites to the Could 15-18 PGA Championship being held at Quail Hole Membership in Charlotte, North Carolina.