R&A joins the American Golf Association, adding a path to eligibility for golfers who compete in LIV Golf League.
The leading LIV golfer has not yet finished the top five 20 in the single season rankings through the Tour Championship in Carrollton, Texas, from June 27 to 29.
“The Open is the global champion of Best Men’s Golfer and every year we review the waiver to ensure we provide the championship with tracks based on the results of the leading professional tour,” said R&A CEO Mark Darbon.
“We acknowledge that players participating in LIV golf should also have the opportunity to open locations in their respective seasons standings and in existing avenues.”
Last week, the American Golf Association announced a new exemption category for the U.S. Open, which will award the leading Liv Golfer from the top three in a single standings midway through the season.
This year, from June 12 to 15 to 15, the top three golfers who are not exempted on May 19 this year will earn a place at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
In 2026, the U.S. Open will invite the final individual standings of 2025 and the leading golfers on May 18, 2026 to invite the leading players if they have not been exempted and ranked in the top three.
Although Augusta National Golf Club has invited Joaquín Niemann, Liv Golf captain Joaquín Niemann, in each of the past two years. The PGA of the United States has expanded special invitations to LIV golfers based on past official world golf rankings.
LIV Golf League players can also win the Open through their world rankings and open qualifying matches. The major champions of the past include Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and others, It has been exempted this year.
“We thank Mark Darbon for its leadership and R&A for taking this step to move golf forward,” Liv Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said in a statement. “The open championship is the most prestigious event of any sports event.” One. Acknowledging that Liv Golf League and International Series competitors will have the opportunity to play in the original profession of golf, a testament to R&A’s commitment to golf fans around the world.”
