The USGA has made the US Open the first major to grant an exemption for players from LIV Golf. Specifically, the American major will invite the highest-ranked player among the top three in the final individual ranking of the Saudi tour who is not otherwise qualified in the next two editions, based on a series of criteria. This decision, this season, opens an unexpected path for players like Sergio García, David Puig, or Luis Masaveu.
Jon Rahm, winner of the US Open in 2021, has an exemption as a former champion for the next 10 editions. But the rest of the Spaniards, like many participants in the Saudi tour who do not have a spot, could achieve qualification for the event. A surprising piece of news, without a doubt, and a gigantic step forward for the circuit to start finding access routes to the majors in which several of its players continue to compete for previous exemptions.
Specifically, the statement released by the USGA indicates that it “continues to evaluate existing pathways to ensure that those who play best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship,” in the words of John Bodenhamer, the organisation’s director of championships. Thus, “in line with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate the levels of talent in professional circuits and amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category.”
For the US Open in 2025, a full exemption will be granted to the highest-ranked player who is not otherwise exempt and is among the top three in the individual ranking of LIV Golf 2025 as of 19 May 2025. Additionally, a local exemption (to compete in the preliminaries) will be granted to the top 10 players in the individual ranking of LIV Golf 2025 as of 7 April 2025.
Starting from the 2026 championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, from 18 to 21 June, a full exemption will be granted to the highest-ranked player who is not otherwise exempt and among the top three in the final individual ranking of LIV Golf in 2025 and to the highest-ranked player who is not exempt and is among the top three in the individual ranking of LIV Golf 2026 as of 18 May 2026.
There will also be spots for the preliminaries for the top 10 in the final individual ranking of LIV Golf in 2025 and the top 10 in the individual ranking of LIV Golf in 2026 as of 6 April 2026. It remains to be seen if this surprising decision by the USGA will be replicated by the organisers of the other three majors in world golf, the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, and the The Open Championship.
