US Open becomes first major tournament to award LIV Golf an exemption

Posted by author February 5, 2025 Golf

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LIV Golf competitors will be able to earn exemptions for the 2025 U.S. Open, becoming the first major tournament to provide players who play on that tour a direct way to earn a spot in the tournament, the United States Golf Association announced Wednesday.

For golfers who compete in the Saudi-backed league, a full exemption to the tournament, which will be played June 12-15 at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, will be given to the top player who is not otherwise exempt.

The golfer must also be in the top three of the LIV Golf Individual Standings on May 19. Local exemptions will be given to the top 10 players in the standings as of April 7.

LIV golfers Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Richard Bland, Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson are already exempt and can play in the U.S. Open.

Starting with next year’s U.S. Open, which will be held June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, the leading player in the final 2025 LIV individual standings and the leader in the standings May 18 will earn those exemptions.

“The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship,” John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer said in a statement. “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.”

Currently, there are 25 different categories where players are exempt from local and final qualifying, including the past 10 U.S. Open winners, winners of the 2024 U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Amateur Championship, and the past six winners of the Masters tournament.