R&A joins USGA in craving direct pathway for LIV Golfers into majors, announces exemption for 2025 Open Championship
The Open Championship has now become the second major championship to provide a direct pathway for LIV Golfers into it after the U.S. Open.
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Cameron Smith won Open Championship in 2022 and is one of the 12 LIV Golfers to already have an exemption (Image via The Independent)
After having no direct entry into the major championships for around three years, LIV Golfers now have found two direct paths within a week. The R&A have joined the United States Golf Association (USGA) in craving a direct pathway for LIV Golfers into the 2025 Open Championship.
Last week, the USGA become the first major championship to open it’s doors for LIV Golfers. Previously, only those LIV Golfers who had an exemption were allowed to play in this events.
The USGA last week announced that a full exemption will be awarded to the top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 19, 2025. The R&A have announced a similar qualifying path as well.
The leading player who is not already exempt in the top 5 of the 2025 Individual Season standings will get direct access to the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The standings for this will be taken into consideration after the LIV Golf Dallas event on June 29.
🚨⛳️➡️ #UPDATE — The R&A formally announce a direct pathway for LIV golfers to gain entry into the Open Championship. The top player within the top 5 on the LIV points list who is not already qualified will earn a spot. First reported by @TelegraphSport last week. pic.twitter.com/8pRRRvsH1a
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 10, 2025
As of now, 12 players have already secured their path to this major championship. Apart from former Open champions such as Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, and Cameron Smith, stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Marc Leishman, Tom McKibbin, Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen and Jon Rahm will be in the fray.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil thanks R&A for providing direct pathway for Open Championship
LIV Golfers not being able to participate in the major championships due to their Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) have sparked huge debate. While the league still continues to face that issue, they at least have a new alternative to qualify for two major championships. New CEO Scott O’Neil would thank the R&A for providing this opportunity to them.
In a statement released by LIV Golf, O’Neil hailed Mark Darbon, the head of the R&A for taking this huge step. The Saudi-backed tour claimed that they are “excited” with this new chance.
We thank Mark Darbon for his leadership and the R&A for taking this step for the benefit of moving golf forward. LIV will continue our mission to bring the best players to the four corners of the world to grow the game. We are excited for the future of this great sport.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said
BREAKING: More major pathways open for LIV Golf players#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/6dzykHUDpo
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) February 10, 2025
Meanwhile, 5-time major champion Brooks Koepka’s wife Jena Sims dropped a five-word reaction to this news. Taking to Instagram, she would share the news of it to her Instagram stories and wrote, “We love to see it!!!“.
For now, Adrian Meronk is the leading golfer according to the standings. The Polish international went wire-to-wire the season-opener in Riyadh and claimed his maiden LIV Golf title. If he can hang on to that position, he could have a direct entry into two majors this year.
It is still very early to say who will take use of this exemption though. After a week in the Middle East, LIV Golf is now getting ready for their biggest event – LIV Golf Adelaide this week.
Compared to other LIV events, this one has received huge support in each of its last two editions. This is something O’Neil would be expecting to happen again this week.
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Vinay Dave
(1870 Articles Published)