This Thursday marks the start of the International Series in Macau, the fourth tournament of the Asian Tour season, which comes with a golden opportunity. The top three finishers will earn their ticket to the next Open Championship in July at Royal Portrush. In the event of ties, it will be resolved by the best world ranking. This enticing extra incentive has motivated a significant influx of LIV Golf players and at the same time shows us the two sides of the players who are part of the Saudi league.
Of the 57 players who are part of LIV Golf in 2025, including the 52 that make up the thirteen teams, plus the two free agents and the three reserves who play in case of injuries, there are 12 who are exempt from playing the Open: DeChambeau, Hatton, Dustin Johnson, Koepka, Leishman, McKibbin, Niemann, Oosthuizen, Rahm, Cameron Smith, and Stenson. Therefore, all of them do not need to make any extra effort, such as playing qualifying tournaments like this week’s in Macau or competing in the preliminaries, to be in the Open.
If 12 are exempt from playing the Open, it means there are a total of 45 players in LIV who still do not have their place guaranteed to compete in the fourth Major of the year. It is assumed that there is nothing more important for a professional golfer than to play (and win if possible) the Majors. It is assumed. And it is precisely at this point that the two sides of LIV Golf become apparent. The side of those who are committed to that desire to play the majors and the side of those who seem indifferent.
All LIV Golf players can play in Macau. They have a special category to compete in the Asian Tour tournaments they wish. Well, of the 45 who are not qualified for the Open, only 21 are in the Chinese island. It is the most positive side, the most encouraging, at least if we think about competing for the best trophies in your sport: Matt Jones, Surratt, Sebastián Muñoz, Schniederjans, Ogletree, Carlos Ortiz, McDowell, Yang, Masaveu, Lahiri, Meronk, Puig, Uihlein, Kokrak, Reed, Ancer, Herbert, Catlin, Sergio García, Anthony Kim, and Ormsby. Beyond existing commitments in each one’s contracts with LIV to play a certain number of International Series, the main reason for these 21 golfers to play in Macau is to qualify for the Open.
There is also a significant and positive evolution compared to last year. In 2024, the Asian tournament that served as a qualifier for the Open was the Malaysian Open, fondly remembered by Spanish golf as David Puig achieved victory. Well, in that tournament there were only three LIV players. The growth is more than notable. It seems there is a greater desire to play the Majors or at least try.
Let’s not forget that LIV players do not have many opportunities to qualify for the Open. Yes, they can play the preliminaries, some DP World Tour tournament that qualifies, those who are up to date with fines, and the LIV ranking grants a spot, but there are not many chances. For this reason, it is even more surprising that there are 24 LIV players who have chosen not to play in Macau: Varner III, Pieters, Kaymer, Bland, Kjettrup, Casey (he is in Singapore for a commitment with the DP World Tour tournament sponsor), Howell III, Tringale, Steele, Kevin Na, Danny Lee, Kozuma, Poulter, Westwood, Horsfield, Bubba Watson, Wolff, Ben Campbell, Gooch, Schwartzel, Burmester, Pereira, and Chieh Po Lee.
Considering that some of them may be injured or unfit, the figure of 24 is astonishingly high and does a disservice to the circuit that pays them… and very well indeed. There is no better showcase for LIV to flex its muscles than the Majors, but if half of those playing in their circuit do not even attempt to play them, it is a bad sign. Yasir Al Rumayyan must not be very happy with this matter.
A total of 150 players are competing in Macau. None of them are exempt for the Open, so the top three will earn a spot. In this exciting battle, we have four Spaniards: Sergio, Puig, Masaveu, and Rousaud, who plays due to his category in the Asian Tour obtained at the qualifying school. We will see if Spanish golf can secure a spot. Of the four, the only one who has not yet played in the Open is Rousaud.
