The US Golf Affiliation (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 stated on Wednesday.
One spot within the 156-player subject for the June 12-15 U.S. Open in Oakmont, Pennsylvania can be awarded to a golfer who will not be in any other case exempt and within the high three of the LIV Golf Particular person Standings as of Might 19.
The entry will improve to 2 gamers for subsequent 12 months’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 Might 18, 2026 listing gaining entry.
In each circumstances, the spots are for gamers not already exempt and among the many high three within the standings.
“The USGA continues to judge the pathways that exist to make sure these enjoying their finest have the chance to compete in our nationwide championship,” stated John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer.
“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.”
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 present exemptions.
However final June the USGA stated it might think about making a direct route into the U.S. Open for well-performing LIV Golf gamers in a bid to make sure the world’s finest gamers compete in opposition to one another.
The announcement on Wednesday was applauded by LIV Golf.
“Each golf fan on the planet longs to see the best gamers on the planet competing on golf’s largest phases on the majors,” LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil stated in a press release.
“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 12 months, 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 12 months’s U.S. Open, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Cam Smith and Richard Bland are presently exempt into the 12 months’s third main via different exemption classes.
Earlier this 12 months, Augusta Nationwide stated 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 Might 15-18 PGA Championship being held at Quail Hole Membership in Charlotte, North Carolina.